The Toronto Maple Leafs have played some of their most uninspiring hockey of the season over the past week or so. They have lost three games in a row in regulation for the first time since last season following losses to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night,

Auston Matthews spoke to the media after the Toronto Maple Leafs lost 4-1 to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Matthews scored the first goal of the game with an assist from Mitch Marner.

Auston Matthews will officially be back in action for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night against the Boston Bruins. After missing six games to an undisclosed injury, the former Hart Trophy winner will slide back into the Leafs' lineup that's looking to take sole ownership of first place in the Atlantic Division.

Matthews has nine points (four goals, five assists) in his last six games since he returned from injury. That increases his season total to 15 goals, 17 assists and 116 shots in 30 games. And you can expect Matthews' goal scoring to increase given his somewhat flat 12.

Every team in the NHL would love to have just one of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, or William Nylander. The Toronto Maple Leafs have the luxury of all three stars.

TORONTO -- Auston Matthews is on track to play for the United States when the 4 Nations Face-off begins on Feb. 12 despite dealing with an upper-body injury that has bothered him since training camp.

"We're down. You know, just moving guys around," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of the switch after the game. "They went out and scored right away, and then I just trying to get some goals back as quickly as possible."

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving believes Auston Matthews will be more than ready for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off after returning to the lineup in January.

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.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were looking for a better effort against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night than they had in their last two games. They did get that.

Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz will not play in Thursday's game against the visiting Montreal Canadiens due to an upper-body injury.

Logan Stankoven had two goals and an assist to lead the Dallas Stars to a 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 on Tuesday night. Matt Duchene added a goal and two assists, and Mavrik Bourque also scored for Dallas,