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Pre-Scout: Connor McDavid and Bobby McMann the focus in Oilers-Leafs McMatchup
Feb 2, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Bobby McMann (74) celebrates his goal with teammates against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Michael Menzies
Feb 3, 2026, 12:00 ESTUpdated: Feb 3, 2026, 12:45 EST
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This Connor McDavid vs. Auston Matthews matchup tonight doesn’t feel like others. It’s been usurped by trade speculation surrounding Bobby McMann. 
It also won’t hit the same because it’s been a season from hell for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they come to town to face the Edmonton Oilers.  
That franchise is at a crossroads, likely to miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade, and questions loom about how general manager Brad Treliving will approach the Trade Deadline. 
From Mitch Marner’s departure in the summer, to the variety of defensive and goaltending injuries they’ve suffered, to the inconsistent play of Matthews and Nylander, questions abound about the team’s future. 
Will Treliving blow it up? Sell a couple of pieces while keeping the core intact? Is this a first-hand look at Bobby McMann, Nicolas Roy, or Scott Laughton for Edmonton?  
That all will be debated in Toronto sports media, and therefore, Canadian sports media as a whole.
But for tonight’s game, the Oilers need to buckle in. They can’t be distracted by the wicked gash on Craig Berube’s head. 
Just 120 minutes of work remain before everyone except Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Josh Samanski gets a three-week tropical holiday. 
With that said, the gulf between the Oilers and Leafs isn’t that big. The Oilers are only five points better, but a 2-6-2 stretch for Toronto to end January put this team’s focus on next year. 

McMatchup

Bobby McMann’s game-sealing empty-netter was met with a chorus of applause last night in Calgary, as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Calgary Flames 4-2 to win two-in-a-row. 
The goal was McMann’s 18th of the season – up to 31 points total, three back of a career high – and the Leafs secured their first road regulation victory since Dec. 4 (they won four road games in January, but all in overtime or shootout). 
William Nylander was dancing, scoring a goal and adding two assists, as Joseph Woll won his second straight start. But McMann, Wainwright native and former AJHL MVP, is sure to be a focus tonight. 
Fans of his and all things Toronto will surely flock in swarms of blue to Rogers Place, with the usual type of dueling cheers in the stands. 
Plus, two wins in a row is a streak for these Leafs – at least in Oil Country this year. 
Historically, these are also the games that Connor McDavid loves to stamp with authority, and after the vulnerable and pulse-pounding Player’s Tribune piece published on Monday night, perhaps Leafs fans can stop questioning his loyalty to Edmonton. 
In his career, McDavid has 14 goals and 40 points against the Leafs in 26 games, including three points in their previous matchup on December 13. 
By comparison, Matthews has 13 goals and 23 points in 21 games vs the Oilers. Matthews may have reaffirmed his commitment to the Leafs, and vice-versa, according to Sportnet’s Elliotte Friedman, but there’s no point comparing these players any longer (if there ever was one).  
Stop the count. 

No Rielly

Morgan Rielly will sit out with a lingering injury issue tonight. He also didn’t play Monday. Rielly is the longest-tenured Leaf, with seven goals and 31 points in 54 games this season.
The Leafs’ blueline has been the walking wounded, but Jake McCabe played a team-high 23:46 of ice-time on Monday and is a rock when healthy. 
But it was Troy Stecher who really showed up yesterday, scoring his third of the season. If you count popping the puck into his own net a couple of months ago against the Oilers, he would have four! 
One would expect Anthony Stolarz tonight after Wall’s 28-saves yesterday. Stolarz has dealt with struggles and injuries since signing a four-year, $15 million extension in September. 
He’s started just twice since his multi-month injury and allowed nine goals against on 51 shots. 

Notes:

  • John Tavares has been consistent once again, sitting on 19 goals and 46 points. Tavares has surpassed the 20-goal plateau in every season of his career except 2020-21, a total of 15 times. 
  • Matthews’ recent assist was his 20th of the season, making him the fifth Maple Leafs player to post 10 consecutive seasons with that many since the start of their career. 
  • Oliver Ekman-Larsson is Olympics-bound with Team Sweden, but is also enjoying his best offensive season since 2018-19. That was also the last time he scored double-digit goals. He has eight at the moment. 
  • Before the Calgary game, the Leafs had held the lead for just 18 minutes in their last eight games. 
  • Toronto’s powerplay sits at 17.6 per cent, in the bottom quarter of the league. They did not have a man advantage on Monday. 
  • The penalty kill is surprisingly strong, a top-5 unit in the league, at 83.5 per cent before going 1/1 yesterday. 
  • One would assume that head coach Craig Berube would be a fan of goalie fights, considering he fought over 200 times as a player. Not the case: “I mean, why are they fighting? Why aren’t the players fighting? That’s the way I look at it. I don’t get it, to be honest with you….  I’d rather my goalies not fight. Guy pokes your goalie? One of the players should be doing something about it.”
  • TOR record vs the Western Conference: 11-9-4 
  • EDM record vs the Eastern Conference: 12-12-3
  • EDM record on homestand: 4-3 
  • The Oilers are 4-5-1 in their last 10 matchups against the Leafs, including going 2-2 in their last four at home. 

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