Toronto Maple Leafs make a key decision on Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner’s workload following a tough loss. Find out how the NHL team is managing its stars for the final stretch of the season.

© Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on March 05, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

After a tough 6-5 loss to the San Jose Sharks, the NHL’s worst team,Toronto Maple Leafs stars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner were notably absent from Friday’s optional practice.

This strategic move follows a taxing game where both players logged over 25 minutes on the ice—an intense effort that, despite a late comeback forcing overtime, ultimately fell short. The loss to the Sharks, a team with a far inferior record, has sparked concern and reinforced the importance of managing the workload of key players.

Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube justified Matthews and Marner’s absence, explaining that their extended minutes were necessary given the game’s circumstances. “The minutes got a little high,” Berube said in an interview with Maple Leafs Hot Stove. “With the state of the game and where we were at—Max [Domi] was in the [penalty] box, too, and wasn’t available—I played our skilled guys a lot down the stretch to try to tie the game up.”

Berube emphasized that while winning remains the priority, proper workload management will be key moving forward. The decision to rest Matthews and Marner aligns with a more cautious approach, particularly considering Matthews hadn’t played more than 22 minutes since March 3—also against the Sharks—while Marner had only exceeded 23 minutes once in that same span.

: Nathan McKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 19, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Maple Leafs: Managing minutes and the road to the playoffs

With just 10 games remaining in the regular season, including two critical matchups against the division-leading Florida Panthers, managing Matthews and Marner’s workload becomes even more crucial. Berube’s decision reflects an awareness of the importance of keeping his star players physically and mentally fresh for the final stretch. The NHL’s grueling schedule demands careful management, as fatigue can significantly impact performance.

Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews sends clear message on excuses after setback against Sharks

What’s next for the Maple Leafs?

The loss to the Sharks and the subsequent decision to limit Matthews and Marner’s workload raise questions about the Maple Leafs’ consistency. While the team has proven capable of competing with the league’s best, ensuring their stars remain fresh and healthy could be the deciding factor in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.