It's mass hysteria on social media after Babcock refuses to play Matthews in the first!

Fans have been going nuts on social media on Wednesday night. And they have every right.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing the Buffalo Sabres tonight and trying to show they can compete in the postseason. After four straight games last week where Toronto was outscored 23-15 and went 1-3-0, the Leafs are running short on time to figure out with only nine regular season games left...

However, one thing is sure and this message goes straight out to head coach Mike Babcock: you need to play your best players and that means put Auston Matthews on the ice.

During the first intermission of the game on Sportsnet, John Shannon noted that Matthews had played a great first period, however he was limited to four minutes and 37 seconds of ice time. The insider couldn't comprehend Babcock's decision and fans agree with him.

They went on social media and expressed their anger, which only got worse after Matthews tied the game up at 1 early in the second period. Even former NHL player and analyst Marc Savard got into it after he commented before puck drop that Matthews should be playing at least 22 minutes tonight...

This is obviously a night where @AM34 needs to play at the very least 22 minutes he’s absolutely dominating......
— Marc Savard (@MSavvy91) March 20, 2019

He played 4 min and 37 F%#^ing minutes in the first..REALLY
— Marc Savard (@MSavvy91) March 21, 2019

Seriously? Matthews only played 4;37 the way he's playing tonight???? ....and he played his best IMO with Kappy on his wing. Geez coach pehaps Auston should be get more ice time?
— CathyN (@123Hobo1) March 20, 2019

Auston Matthews was the most dominant player on the ice in the first period, but 7 Leaf forwards received more ice time than him.
— Anthony Bruno (@AnthonyMBruno) March 21, 2019

WHY THE FUCK DOES PETAN ONLY HAVE 29 SECONDS LESS ICE TIME THEN AUSTON MATTHEWS!!!! Holy fuck Babcock matthews should play more then 4:38 of ice time!!
— Newhouse (@J_Newhouse_88) March 21, 2019

@HennyTweets
Refusing to play Auston Matthews an appropriate amount of minutes
the idiotically stacked power play that for some reason splits time with one that includes fourth liners.
Auston Matthews’ ice time is worth mentioning twice.
— Daniel Wybo (@LIII1940) March 20, 2019

Babcock, you gotta play Matthews more. At the start of the second period, the young forward was on pace for a 13-minute ice time...

Despite the Leafs' woes, Matthews has been one of the best players on the roster. In the past four games, he has managed to record three goals and five points, however, his playing time has decreased every game since March 13th.

And fans have had enough...