Auston Matthews Opens Up About Lingering Health Issues Before Game 7

If the Maple Leafs are going to get through both Game 6 and the subsequent Game 7, they are needing an explosive effort from everyone involved.

No one is feeling that heat more than captain Auston Matthews, who has never felt so much pressure in his career.

With another elimination game set to determine his fate, his production will dictate how the fans feel about him; potentially for as long as he's around.

He's trying his best not to let the chatter get to him, and remains solely focused on helping the team as much as he can. Scoring would definitely do so, but he's more concerned with putting in a strong effort and then goals will come:

He also made mention of his health, a big concern over the postseason and a possible underlying factor for his inability to score:

If he's not 100%, then obviously it's not good, but it doesn't explain how other players like William Nylander, Max Pacioretty, and Matthew Knies are all able to contribute more; especially given they also dealt with their fair share of injuries and getting knocked around.

When he does get the chance to shoot, he hesitates. It's very unbecoming of Matthews to think before he shoots, and that extra second or two is costing him goals and often times a chance to hit the net.

Granted, he is being tasked with playing more defense under Craig Berube and deserves a bit more offensive zone time, but he's consistently been on the advantage with the power play and can't convert.

Matthews has only hit barely above 50% for his shots getting to the net, and while Florida's defense can be commended, Matthews fires it wide often now.

Game 6 is going to be the most telling, and while he's not shown any signs of being that huge impact player this postseason, he does have his moments.

Whether or not that will be on display is another thing, but for everyone's sake we can only hope Matthews has the best game of his playoff career.

For the playoffs, Matthews has 10 points in 11 games (2G, 8A) with 15 blocks, 27 hits and a plus-1 rating in 21:10 TOI.