Maple Leafs Boost Physicality After Matthews Injury Backlash

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly engaged in a rare fight during Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders, signaling a shift in the team's approach to defending its players following the season-ending injury to captain Auston Matthews last week.

Matthews suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee from a knee-on-knee hit by Anaheim Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas during a game on Thursday. Gudas received a five-game suspension from the NHL for the infraction. In the immediate aftermath, the four other Toronto skaters on the ice did not respond physically, drawing sharp criticism from media, fans and players across the league, including Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, who addressed the incident on a podcast with his brother Matthew of the Florida Panthers. Rielly later took responsibility for the lack of immediate action.

Head coach Craig Berube addressed the team sternly after the incident, calling it a wakeup call. "It's everybody," Berube said. "They all should have been in there right away. But I think they've obviously learned from it, and it's a difference now."

The Maple Leafs responded with increased physicality in subsequent games. They...