Auston Matthews, now sporting a lion tattoo on his right shoulder and bicep, watched Sidney Crosby hoist the Stanley Cup with a bit of awe.

Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, it seemed, got better as the playoffs got longer. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ best players played their best. And that was the difference.

“It’s no secret he’s the best player in the world for a reason,” Matthews said. “Watching — not only him but Malkin as well — when the Penguins needed a boost or a big play or a lift, it seemed to come from one of those two guys. That exemplifies their leadership and what they mean to that team.

“It was definitely different watching this year than years before, having played in the playoffs and wanting to be in that position. Definitely, there’s a lot to be learned.”

Matthews got an up-close look at Crosby’s desire to win when the two went head to head in an NHL skills competition at the all-star game. Crosby even played mind games with Matthews to try to get the better of the rookie.

“He doesn’t like losing and he doesn’t want to take a backseat to anybody. He wants to be the best,” Matthews said. “And he’s been the best for however long he’s been in the league. That’s what separates those guys.”

The qualities he sees in Crosby are qualities Matthews hopes others see in him.

“If you want to be the best, those are the kinds of qualities you need,” Matthews said. “It’s the mindset you want to have to be successful individually but to help the team win as well. He’s been a pretty good example of that, his leadership qualities, and what he can do on the ice and off the ice as well, and how he is in that locker room.”

Matthews will be in the spotlight next week in Las Vegas where he is up for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. Winnipeg forward Patrik Laine and Columbus defenceman Zach Werenski are the other finalists. Leaf coach Mike Babcock is a nominee for the Jack Adams Trophy as coach of the year.

For now, Matthews is back skating in Scottsdale, Ariz., with a group of professional players.

“Working on skating a little bit, more off-ice stuff,” he said. “Trying to be more explosive, being able to change speeds.”

And he’s still having fun, often at the expense of teammate Mitch Marner. Marner threw the opening pitch at Blue Jays game this week that had fellow Leaf Brian Boyle chirping on Twitter: “Arm like a squirt gun.”

That made Matthews laugh.

“It didn’t get there that fast, but at least it was off the ground,” Matthews said of Marner’s pitch. “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be, honestly. Just looking at his face, he looked pretty nervous, then he threw it down the middle, so I’m sure he’s pretty relieved.”

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Then there’s that lion tattoo on his right shoulder, the one that caused a social media fervour aided by the L.A. Kings mascot (Bailey the Lion) tweeting about the likeness.

“It’s got personal significance for my family,” Matthews said. “That’s about it. That’s all I’m going to say on it.”

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