In the All-Star 3-on-3 tournament final on Saturday, Matthews scored twice, including the game-winning goal, and added an assist as his side defeated the team of reigning MVP Connor McDavid 7-4. The MVP was declared to be Matthews, the American-born star of the wealthiest team in Canada who re-signed last summer to remain in Toronto through 2028.
Together with Matthews, Mitch Marner of the Leafs scored a goal as well. The club celebrated by splitting the $1 million reward with teammates Morgan Rielly and William Nylander.
It was a dream occasion for the league on the ice when Team Matthews won the last game of a revamped All-Star Weekend, which included the popular player draft returning and a reconfigured skills competition in the Leafs home rink. Off the ice, the celebrations, which also featured an Olympic agreement for 2026 and 2030, were shadowed by the Hockey Canada sexual assault probe and accusations against four active NHL players.
The Leafs quartet’s triumph transpired the day after McDavid, who significantly influenced the game’s format, stole the show by winning the skills competition. As driven as the captain of the Edmonton Oilers was on Friday night, Matthews’ squad was more concerned with winning the 3-on-3 competition.
Without a doubt, we wanted to win, Matthews stated. I don’t think there was much playing around when people were talking in the changing room. Everyone was in agreement that the goal was to go out there, exert some effort, and attempt to achieve a positive outcome.
Any other manner would be unacceptable to Marner. He loved being in an All-Star Game in Toronto, having watched them growing up in neighboring Markham, Ontario.
For Rielly, an All-Star for the first time who did not anticipate feeling anxious before the 3-on-3 exhibition, it could not have gone any better.
“I suppose I was a little anxious being in that situation with all those good guys,” Rielly admitted.
Not just in hockey, but also in general, the event that leaned into being held in Canada’s largest city had a lot of star power. Tate McRae, Michael Bublé, Justin Bieber, and actor Will Arnett were the celebrity captains. McRae gave an MVP-caliber performance in between the semifinals and final.
“It was really nice to have Justin Bieber and the other celebs visit us over the weekend,” Matthews remarked. They interact with players, staff, and bystanders with such humility.
