Auston Matthews' latest actions showed Leafs Nation something they really needed to see

Auston Matthews, for lack of a better term, emptied the tank in Raleigh. For Matthews and the Maple Leafs, grinding through the final game of a long road trip and doing whatever it takes to win was important, especially with their playoff lives on the line.

Toronto needed urgency, needed commitment and needed leadership. Matthews delivered all three in the most physical, selfless way possible, blocking six shots - more than the entire Carolina Hurricanes roster combined, which finished with four.

For a superstar known for scoring goals, not collecting bruises, the performance stood out. Matthews treated every lane like a playoff moment, stepping into blasts, absorbing pain and refusing to yield ice. His teammates fed off that sacrifice instantly.

It also told us something about Matthews that we needed to know. He is very likely finally healthy. There's no way a player who is playing through an injury, especially a lower-body injury, like the one Matthews recently missed time with, is going to put his legs in harms way if he's already wincing in pain with every stride.

It was the kind of night that reinforces why Matthews wears the C. His offensive game has the potential to steal headlines, but this version - the one ready to throw himself in front of shots to secure a win - resonates differently with a group searching for identity.

The Leafs entered Raleigh drained from a grinding trip, but Matthews refused to let the ending slip away. His commitment in the defensive zone elevated the entire group. Toronto checked harder, won races and leaned into Berube's demand for urgency and physical honesty. Now, the team's win streak extends to 3 games.

Fans have been asking for this type of response, and Matthews answered by playing one of his most complete two-way games of the season. He blocked shots, extended plays, and dug into board battles with a playoff level edge. Now 13-11-3 on the season, the Leafs are 2 points back of a playoff spot.

For a team fighting to stay connected in the standings, the message was clear: if the captain is willing to sacrifice his body, everyone else must match that level.

The Leafs head home battered but victorious, carrying with them the example Matthews set - one built not on a highlight reel goal, but on the willingness to take punishment to keep the puck out of his net. Let's hope his efforts were contagious.