As speculation rises over which players may decide to sit out the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews will be suiting up for Team

Matthews has looked closer to himself since returning to game action on January 4 against the Boston Bruins – his second full comeback of the season. In the 11 games back in the lineup, Matthews has recorded at least a point in nine of those appearances – registering nine goals and six assists for a 15-point total.

An announcement on the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament means that an important decision is coming for Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. Auston Matthews, who recently took one of the funniest penalties in recent memory,

TORONTO -- Auston Matthews scored for the fourth straight game and had an assist for the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 5-3 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Scotiabank Arena on Monday. The goal was Matthews’ eighth in nine games since his return after missing the previous six because of an upper-body injury.

With the NHL getting ready to shut down soon for the first ever 4 Nations Face-Off, Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander was asked if there were any side bets among teammates that will be going up against each other.

Matthews and Nylander both scored two goals as Toronto battled back from 2-1 and 3-2 deficits in the third period to beat New Jersey 4-3.

"I didn't see any other option. The puck was rolling. It was the beginning of the period so the tape was fresh. I know, I almost had it," the Maple Leafs' captain said following their 5-3 win over the Lightning.