Matthews’ goal drought for Maple Leafs discussed on ‘NHL @TheRink’ podcast

Auston Matthews' search for a signature moment, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ need to continue to prove that they're not "the same old Leafs," the Carolina Hurricanes' efficient style of play and the Edmonton Oilers' defensive gem are just some of the topics discussed this week on the "NHL @TheRink" podcast presented by SKIP.

Mike Zeisberger, NHL.com's Toronto-based staff writer, joins co-hosts Dan Rosen and Shawn P. Roarke to dive deep into Matthews and the Eastern Conference Second Round matchup between the Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers that continues with Game 5 at Toronto on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS, SN, ESPN). The best-of-7 series is tied 2-2.

Zeisberger digs into Matthews a bit, saying it's time for Toronto's star center, who hasn't scored in the series, to come through in a big way to get the Maple Leafs over the hump and into the Eastern Conference Final.

However, Zeisberger, Rosen and Roarke all agree that Matthews has been effective in other areas, including face-offs (54.7 percent).

The conversation also focuses on what the Panthers have done to get back into the series after losing the first two games, the impact Matthew Tkachuk has made and why it's not exactly firewagon hockey but has been really good.

That is also part of the discussion they had about the East second-round series featuring the Hurricanes and Washington Capitals. Carolina leads it 3-1 going into Game 5 at Washington on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS).

Zeisberger brings up how the Hurricanes seem to be getting the timely goal in these playoffs, which is different from previous years. Rosen, Roarke and Zeisberger also defend the Hurricanes’ style of play, with Roarke calling it "beautiful," not to mention obviously effective.

Rosen and Roarke delve into the Western Conference Second Round series between the Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights prior to the interview with Zeisberger. Rosen says the Oilers proved their mettle by coming back with a strong defensive performance in Game 4, a 3-0 win, after giving up a last-second game-winning goal on a totally broken defensive play in Game 3. Edmonton leads the series 3-1 entering Game 5 at Vegas on Wednesday (9:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS, CBC).

They also discuss Miro Heiskanen's return and Mikko Rantanen's impact for the Dallas Stars, Joel Quenneville coming back to the NHL as coach of the Anaheim Ducks and if Lou Lamoriello, who will not be returning as New York Islanders president and general manager, still should have a role with the team.

The "NHL @TheRink" podcast presented by SKIP is free, and listeners can subscribe on all podcast platforms. It is also available on NHL.com/multimedia/podcasts and the NHL app.