The Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews likely can't catch up to the NHL's top goal-scorers this year, but his improvements elsewhere on the ice are more important, says Adam Proteau.

Auston Matthews scored for the first time since returning from an injury and the Toronto Maple Leafs went on to defeat the visiting Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 on Monday night.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have survived quite nicely without captain Auston Matthews, who missed nine games with an upper-body injury.