Leafs showing fight for Joseph Woll and not Auston Matthews reveals more than you think

The Toronto Maple Leafs are showing fight. Just maybe a little too late and for the wrong guy.

Days after Auston Matthews was taken out by a controversial knee from Anaheim Ducks’ Radko Gudas, with little to no immediate response from his teammates, the Leafs are suddenly discovering their edge.

And it came in full force for goalie Joseph Woll.

During Tuesday’s matchup against the New York Islanders, forward Kyle MacLean made contact with Woll in front of the net, knocking the goalie off balance. This time, there was no hesitation.

Morgan Rielly, who had openly regretted not reacting quicker in the Matthews incident, immediately stepped in and dropped the gloves with MacLean. No delay, no second guessing. Just instant response.

And that’s where the irony hits. Because when Matthews, the face of the franchise, was writhing in pain on the ice just days earlier… nothing happened.

Head coach Craig Berube admitted he’s since had daily conversations with the team about standing up for one another. And clearly, the message is starting to land.

Woll himself praised the shift in mentality, calling it “huge” and “the making of a good team,” especially noting how meaningful it was to see a player like Rielly step outside his comfort zone to defend a teammate.

Many fans and pundits however wonder if that means that Matthews does not get the same level of respect and support from his own dressing room... The question is worth asking.

But for many fans, that’s exactly the problem. Why now? Why Woll and not Matthews?

With just 13 games left in the season, the Leafs are trying to prove they’ve turned a corner when it comes to team toughness and accountability. But the timing hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Because in Toronto, protecting your teammates matters. It just seems some teammates get protected more than others.