One Key Factor Has Made It Very Difficult for Auston Matthews to Return to the Toronto Maple Leafs Lineup

Riding a three-game win streak going into Tuesday's game against Ottawa, it was a complete shift from the last week, as the Maple Leafs got dominated from pillar to post and looked completely unlike the team we saw outscore opponents 11-2 during their streak.

It doesn't get easier either, as the Maple Leafs have the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night as they try to slow down Alex Ovechkin's climb to be the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer. But it's not an uncommon occurrence this season, as Toronto is facing not only tough teams, but a tough schedule structure too.

With 16 back-to-back games this season, it makes it tough to bring back Auston Matthews in a comfortable manner when he's able to return. Without a buffer day in between games, there's no real way to give Matthews any extra rest if he needs it.

He's probably quite pleased that Toronto doesn't play until Saturday, which gives him more than enough time to recover, hopefully. But their schedule doesn't get any easier. After Washington and Edmonton, they face off against Vegas, Utah, Florida, and Tampa Bay. It's a rough stretch for the next little bit, especially without their captain.

Heading into December, Toronto has three (!) sets of back-to-back games with Pittsburgh/Washington, Buffalo/New York Islanders, and then one week after that go against Detroit/Washington. They have 15 games in December and even when they aren't back-to-back, they play every other night. It feels like Gary Bettman has a grudge.

Teams are not good on the second leg of back-to-back games, historically. The fact is teams score less, shoot less, and look less energetic and motivated when they have to put their body on the line again 24 hours later with minimal recovery time.

If Anthony Stolarz or Joseph Woll gets hurt or goes on a cold streak then it would be a nightmare for those back-to-back games, the team can't cope with a loss like that.

Plus if you're bringing a player back from injury, the last thing you wanna do is rush him in and have it be a detriment, nor do you wanna keep holding him out if you're struggling because, well, you need a player like Matthews to pick you up.

Toronto's schedule doesn't get easier, and while they may have had an easy stretch at the start, they're heading into a firestorm and they are trying to do it without their leader at the front.