Last week in the NHL and beyond: Matthews returns with a vengeance for Leafs, Canada’s World Juniors upset, the decline of the Winter Classic

NHL Highlights: Matthews Shines, Canada Stumbles at World Juniors

Auston Matthews made a strong comeback for the Leafs, while Canada faced another World Juniors upset and the Winter Classic saw record low ratings

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Toronto, Canada, NHL, Auston Matthews, World Juniors, Winter Classic, Vancouver Canucks

Toronto: Last week was a whirlwind in the hockey world. Auston Matthews returned to the ice after a tough injury spell, and boy, did he make an impact! He scored a goal and racked up four assists in just two games. Fans were buzzing with excitement.

But it wasn’t all good news. Canada’s World Juniors team faced another disappointing exit, losing to Czechia in the quarterfinals. This marked the second year in a row they’ve been knocked out early, and the pressure is mounting on the coaching staff.

Meanwhile, the Winter Classic didn’t go as planned either. The NHL tried something new by moving the event to New Year’s Eve, but it backfired with the lowest viewership ever. The matchup between the Blues and Blackhawks just didn’t draw in the crowds.

On the trade front, the Vancouver Canucks are weighing their options for star players J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson. There’s been some drama in the locker room, and it seems the team is ready to explore trades if things don’t improve.

And let’s not forget about Ozzy Wiesblatt’s debut! He made a heartfelt introduction in sign language, honoring his mom, who is deaf. It was a touching moment that reminded everyone of the personal stories behind the players.

So, there you have it! A week filled with highs and lows in the NHL. It’s always something in the world of hockey, and we can’t wait to see what happens next!

Image Credits and Reference: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/last-week-in-the-nhl-and-beyond-matthews-returns-with-a-vengeance-for-leafs-canadas-world-juniors-upset-the-decline-of-the-winter-classic-151944054.html