Matthews proved he belongs, says McLellan

If Sunday night was any indication, Auston Matthews is ready for showtime. At least Team North America head coach Todd McLellan thinks so. And that's music to the ears of Toronto hockey fans.

"My eye was on him because I thought he was going to have a (heck) of a game, and he did," McLellan said, according to NHL.com's Tim Campbell.

Matthews was on the young guns' top line with Connor McDavid and Mark Scheifele. He was thrown right into the mix, and he responded by showing off his speed and hands in setting up Jack Eichel's opening goal against Finland.

"There was no fear at all of playing him," McLellan said. "He belongs where he is right now. He fits where he is. There's no, 'Hey, let's babysit him and make sure we're protecting him.' Let him play. He's got all the skills and he's playing the right way. You can't ask any more of him."

Maple Leafs fans probably will, but that's still a little while away.

Matthews, who turned 19 on Saturday, said he wasn't nervous - despite playing in Toronto for the first time - so much as he was anxious to get his World Cup going with his teammates.

"It's a pretty good feeling to go out there and contribute," he said.

"He was great," Scheifele said. "He was great with the puck. He made some great plays."

Matthews and his squad will try to keep it going Monday night against Russia at 8 p.m. ET.

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