Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was impressed by younger players in the lineup during Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators.

Matthews knows that preseason games are meant for the NHL regulars to shake off the rust and get back into the swing of things, even though things won’t always be pretty to the viewing eye. Though this contest doesn’t count towards the standings, it was a chance for the hopefuls to make an impression, and they certainly caught Matthews’ attention.

“ I thought a lot of guys had solid efforts tonight,” Matthews said post-game. “ I thought [Easton Cowan] played really well. Thought he was in the mix a lot, made some good plays, was responsible on both sides of the puck.  [Luke] Haymes, thought he was pretty good. He’s a really steady player, I think he’s really smart.”

“[Ben Danford],  don’t notice him as much back there in a good way.  He makes solid plays, he’s a big body. I thought him and [Oliver Ekman-Larsson] complimented each other pretty well back there.”

For these aforementioned young guns, getting compliments from the captain of the Leafs, who just so happens to be among the best players in the NHL right now, is bound to feel good. Building chemistry also makes a difference in determining who gets to play with whom during the regular season, and that was the case for Matias Maccelli, who got a chance to audition on the top line with Max Domi working his way back from a lower-body injury.

“ That was good. I think we just tried to feed off each other a little bit,” Matthews said. “ A lot of communication on and off the ice, on the bench. He’s a really shifty player. He is slippery out there and obviously has really good vision.  But I thought we communicated well, created some offensive chances.”

Above all else, the main thing that Leafs Nation wanted to see out of Matthews in the early going is proof that he is feeling healthy and playing more like the 60+ goal player he is capable of. He showed signs that he is no worse for wear with a goal early in the first period, although he was burned on Shane Pinto’s overtime winner.

It was far from perfect, but Matthews said he was pleased with how his body responded as the night progressed and felt it’s something for him to build off of.

“ It felt good to get back in a setting like this and compete. Not going against each other, and fun to be with the guys again,” he said. “ Get out there and just try to have some fun.  Just shake out the cobwebs a little bit, get back in the rhythm of playing the right way. It was fun.”