Matthews, 27, led the NHL with 69 goals last season and won the Hart Trophy in 2021-22, when he scored 106 points in 73 games.

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.

Among the NHL teammates who will be on opposite benches during the 4-Nations Face-Off include Toronto Maple Leafs stars Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Matthews, who grew up in Scottsdale, Ariz., will be representing the USA while Nylander will be representing his native Sweden.

Jared Spurgeon and Marat Khusnutdinov scored in the first period, Filip Gustavsson stopped 31 shots, and the Minnesota Wild beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1.

There was much speculation about Auston Matthews ' non-participation in the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Toronto Maple Leafs captain has been confirmed to feature for Team USA after a meeting with Team USA General Manager Bill Guerin ahead of their game against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday.

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.

Auston Matthews will lead a new generation of American stars at the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Toronto Maple Leafs captain will wear the ‘C’ for the United States at the upcoming best-on-best tournament.

Auston Matthews will head the United States’ leadership group at the 4 Nations Face-Off. USA Hockey announced on Thursday afternoon that the Maple Leafs captain will be its captain for the event in Montreal and Boston,

Auston Matthews will wear the ‘C’ for the red, white and blue. The Toronto Maple Leafs star has been named captain for the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament set for next month in Montreal and Boston.

Maple Leafs superstar is the Americans’ most gifted scorer on what should be a deep Team USA at next month’s best-on-best tournament.

Star forward Auston Matthews will captain the United States at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-off, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger has confirmed.