What happened: Former Toronto Maple Leafs staffer Rob Pettapiece disclosed that he advised sitting Auston Matthews during a back-to-back set against the Jets in his 2016-17 rookie campaign. Pettapiece shared the historical note in an analysis of the New Jersey Devils' decision to sit goaltender Connor Hellebuyck against Winnipeg. The proposal was intended to defuse external media scrutiny surrounding the matchup between Matthews and Patrik Laine.

Why it matters: The anecdote highlights how front offices weigh media pressure against player deployment during high-profile rookie rivalries. While Matthews played and eventually captured the Calder Memorial Trophy, team decision-makers routinely manage narrative distractions alongside physical workload. Similar considerations remain relevant across the league as clubs navigate lineup choices following marquee trades.

What to watch: The Maple Leafs and Devils continue their regular-season schedules with rotation management remaining in focus around marquee matchups.