Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews responds strongly to Senators' 'Selling' penalties claims

The Toronto Maple Leafs seized control of Game 1 in their first-round playoff series against the Ottawa Senators, with Auston Matthews playing a pivotal role in their commanding 6–2 victory on Sunday. The Leafs capitalized on a lethal power play, converting three of their six opportunities with the man advantage, showcasing their offensive firepower. However, postgame discussions veered off the ice after critical remarks from Ottawa’s head coach Travis Green.

Green raised eyebrows during his press conference, suggesting that the Maple Leafs may have exaggerated contact to sway the referees. “I thought there were a couple of calls that they did a good job selling,” Green said. “It’s tough on the refs. We can’t take that many penalties, for sure.”

Although both Green and Senators captain Brady Tkachuk admitted the team’s lack of discipline contributed to their downfall, the insinuation regarding Toronto’s gamesmanship prompted a firm response from Leafs captain Auston Matthews during Monday’s media availability.

Matthews rejects accusations of drawing calls

“We were hanging on to pucks,” Matthews said when told that Ottawa took issue with the officiating. “They’re making calls based on what they feel are penalties. We’re playing hockey. To answer your question, I guess, no, I don’t think we were doing anything special to draw penalties.”

Christian Dvorak #28 of the Montreal Canadiens defends against Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period of an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Matthews’ response underscored the mounting tension between the two rivals. Game 1 saw a dramatic discrepancy in penalties: Ottawa racked up 15 penalties totaling 38 minutes, while Toronto was assessed nine penalties for 18 minutes. The Leafs capitalized with clinical precision—Mitch Marner tallied a goal and two assists, while Matthews and John Tavares each recorded two points.

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What’s next for Maple Leafs?

As the series shifts to Game 2 Tuesday night in Toronto, before heading to Ottawa for Games 3 and 4, emotions are running high. Between Green’s insinuations and Matthews’ rebuttal, the storyline now extends beyond the scoreboard—setting the stage for a series that promises to deliver not only on the ice, but also in the pressroom.