Matthews scored twice Wednesday, including the game winner in overtime, in a 3-2 victory over Montreal.

EDGE Analysis

The first one came on the power play. The winner came on a rip from the slot while four-on-four that beat Carey Price over the blocker. Matthews is incredible. He could score fifty goals AND win a Selke trophy this season. Enjoy the production.

Matthews scored his second goal of the preseason in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

He is skating with Patrick Marleau and Tyler Ennis, and the trio has looked sharp together. Ennis is skating in place of William Nylander, who remains a hold-out due to a contract dispute. Regardless, Matthews has a real opportunity to snipe 50 goals this season, that is if he remains healthy.

Matthews will make his preseason debut Wednesday in Ottawa versus the Senators, David Alter of The Canadian Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews posted 132 points (74 goals, 58 assists) over his first two seasons in the NHL, spanning 144 contests. The Leafs acquired all-world pivot John Tavares in free agency, which should take some pressure off the team's top-line center in Matthews. Health permitting, it's conceivable that both players will wind up with 40-plus goals in 2018-19.

Matthews' camp has initiated contract talks with the Maple Leafs regarding an extension, though the prized pivot said "there is no rush," as his current deal does not expire until next summer, Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews has one year remaining on his entry-level contract. The phenom played a role in the Buds courting all-world center John Tavares -- who signed a seven-year, $11 million deal -- on the first day of the free-agency signing period, and there's a chance that the club wants to see how the two centers coexist before settling on new terms for Matthews. Selected first overall by the Leafs in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Matthews has recorded 74 goals, 58 assists and a plus-27 rating through his first 144 games at hockey's highest level. While Tavares is generally projected to be the higher fantasy draft pick, Matthews is not far behind.

Matthews will not attend the World Championship in Denmark next month, Kristen Shilton of TSN.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is bad news for Team USA, but Matthews experienced upper-body and shoulder injuries this season, and he probably could use a mental break after the Maple Leafs lost to the Bruins through seven games of a grueling first-round playoff series. In his second NHL season, the puck prodigy notched 34 goals, 29 assists to complement a shiny plus-25 rating and 13 power-play points during the regular season, though Matthews looked a step slower in the conference quarterfinals and wound up with only two points and a minus-4 rating.

Matthews continued to struggle Thursday in a 3-1, Game 4 loss to Boston.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews had three shots in 20:52, but couldn't capitalize on the absence of Patrice Bergeron, who had been blanketing the big sophomore center this series. Matthews has just a single goal in four games this postseason.

Matthews scored a goal and added an assist in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Canadiens.

EDGE Analysis

He finished the regular season on a 10-game scoring streak (seven goals, seven assists). Matthews delivered 63 points in 62 games, a pace that would have significantly improved on his 69-point rookie season. Next up, the postseason and a chance for Matthews to carry his team beyond the first round.

Matthews found the twine twice and set up another goal in a 5-2 win over the Sabres on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews continues to be one of the best in the league when he's healthy, and even though he's missed 20 games this season, he's been outstanding when he's hit the ice, scoring 60 points in 60 games.

Matthews returned to the lineup Thursday against the Predators, scoring his 29th goal of the season in a 5-3 victory.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews had been out since Feb.22, but he didn't miss a beat in his return against Nashville. The first-line center logged 15:18 of ice time and beat Pekka Rinne with a great shot in tight after a nice toe-drag move. The 20-year-old is up to 51 points in 54 games and can be rolled out with confidence now that he's back to full health.

Matthews (shoulder) is expected to play Thursday night against the Predators, according to Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock, James Mirtle of The Athletic Canada reports.

EDGE Analysis

On Wednesday, Matthews told reporters that he's ready to go, though Babcock preferred to wait until game day to make the official call. After all, the phenom was originally expected to return Tuesday night against the Lightning, but that didn't come to fruition. Barring a late setback, fantasy owners aplenty will be following suit and activating Matthews for what promises to be a tightly contested road match against the playoff-bound Preds; he has one goal in three games facing them in his young career.