"I think [the NHL debut] kind of out does it quite a bit," Matthews said. "It's your first NHL game so it's definitely pretty exciting. I'm pretty anxious to finally get going."
The advice from Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock to his young players (the Maple Leafs will dress six players 23 years old or younger against the Senators): "Just play. Just be good players. Take care of the puck and work real hard. Be good without it and let your skill come out."
Senators captain Erik Karlsson said he expected a lot of buzz around Matthews' debut.
"First overall pick, there's always going to be hype no matter how it is, no matter who it is, especially being in Toronto," Karlsson said. "Good for him. He's a good player and he's shown that and proven that in his previous years. That's why he went first overall, but it starts today and I'm sure he has a lot to learn. I'm sure he's one of those guys who's going to pick it up pretty fast."
In addition to Matthews, the Maple Leafs will have 19-year-old forward Mitchell Marner, the No. 4 pick in the 2015 draft, making his NHL debut.
"They're skilled players," Karlsson said. "They're fast-paced players and they're obviously very creative. It's going to be a challenge whether they're 18 years old or 29 years old."
The Maple Leafs, who finished 30th in the League with 69 points last season, will face a Senators team with a new coach, Guy Boucher, and a new top-six forward, Derick Brassard, who will make his Senators debut in his hometown.
Boucher succeeded Dave Cameron on May 8 and returns to the NHL after three seasons coaching SC Bern of the Swiss A League. This is his second job in the League. He was 97-78-20 with the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2010-2013.
"I'm very calm, but very excited," Boucher said. "It's time. That's where it's exciting. It's time to get going with the real games, with the real roster and measure ourselves against real NHL teams.
"This is as ready as I think we can be for the circumstances. New coach, new players, new system."
