The Maple Leafs held an optional practice on Friday at Ford Performance Centre.

Auston Matthews scored a career-low 33 goals this season, but Brad Treliving disputes the idea that the Leafs centre experienced a down year.

"We talk about a 'down year' because he didn't score 69 goals," Toronto's general manager said. "I think he's led our team. We've talked a little bit about a change, some tweaks in how we play, I think Auston has been front and centre of leading that way."

Matthews immediately embraced the north-south system installed by new coach Craig Berube this season.

"We’re playing much more direct," Matthews noted. "I wouldn’t say, like, the style’s changed dramatically, but there’s definitely certain areas and parts of the game that we’ve keyed on and tried to be better in and [put] more of an emphasis on [with] just playing more direct and physical."

While adapting to the new structure, Matthews faced adversity right at the start of the season. The Arizona native sustained an upper-body injury during training camp and eventually needed to miss 15 games to deal with the issue. The 27-year-old actually visited Germany at one point to work with a doctor there.

Despite the nagging injury, Matthews still produced 78 points in 67 games and, in his first season as captain, led the Leafs to their first-ever Atlantic Division title.

"He shoots it in the net as good as anybody, but what he does away from the puck sets the standard for everybody else," Treliving said. "We can say, 'OK, his goal scoring may be down.' I think his overall game is as good as I've ever seen it. Now, I've seen him for two years now, and he's been a top player ever since I got here and long before that, but ... how we have to check and play 200 feet of the ice, he's set the standard for us."

Behind a strong goaltending tandem, Toronto allowed 2.79 goals per game this season, which ranked eighth overall. Last year, the Leafs allowed 3.18 goals per game, which ranked 21st.

While strong defensive play is important, the Leafs will likely need Matthews to produce to go deep in the playoffs. The Leafs have advanced to the second round just once in the eight seasons since drafting Matthews first overall and a lack of offence has been a big reason why.

But it looks like the three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner is ramping up at the right time this year. Matthews scored in three straight games to end the regular season.

"He might be the rare player that feels a little better at the end of the season than he did for most of the season," said TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston.

"It feels good," Matthews said when asked about the play of his line. "We’ve had a good stretch over the last couple weeks. I think the style of play we’ve been playing is suitable for the postseason, just being direct, making sure we’re forechecking well, taking care of the pucks when we have to, and just doing the right things in both ends."

Matthews, who missed a game at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February to rest another upper-body issue, seems to be skating and moving around the ice with more comfort than earlier in the season.

"That’s been a lot better for him through March and into April," said Johnston. "He may have the typical bumps and bruises at the end of a season that still included a fair number of games, but I do think that he’s feeling at his best in terms of being able to be a game breaker for the Leafs as this playoff begins."

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Matthews missed the first game of the season series with the Senators in November. He was held off the scoresheet in a game in Ottawa back in January. Matthews did score in the final meeting between the teams in March, but it was an open-net look after a bad turnover by Linus Ullmark.........

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