Player Discussion Auston Matthews (Captain Edition)

[ULF_55]

Let's start a pool to see which one of these monsters will cross-check AM in the back most tonight

View attachment 956067

5 Americans, 1 Canadian, 1 Swede, and non-invited Russian.

Wouldn't that be ironic ...

 

[Aashir]

This seems like a game where any other star would put a statement game up

Returning from an injury, against a divisional and heavy playoff rival? Shut the critics up and show the world you are back

I am expecting big things tonight

That is how you make a statement

3 points and another great play on the first goal. He looks much more like the AM we know, just need to see that shot zip past a goalie

 

[Leafsfan74]

That is how you make a statement

3 points and another great play on the first goal. He looks much more like the AM we know, just need to see that shot zip past a goalie

His best play of the night was getting to that puck behind the net and setting up the hat trick goal for Knies. That's Sundin captain work after he comes back from an injury. Sundin and Lemieux always seemed to have those big returns if my memory serves correct. Matthews is in that class whenever he comes back healthy.

The stretched out bottom-of-the-blade goal was just sheer will from a guy who loves to score and wanted to put the game on ice. His accuracy with the stick from any angle is second to none in this league.

 

[Stephen]

The Bruins game tonight was probably his best effort of the whole season. Just looked high energy, healthy, a playmaking threat, just looked like we’re accustomed to seeing him. Hope he keeps this up and has put whatever was wrong with him in the rear view.

 

[BraveCanadian]

Matthews had a really good game tonight. He didn’t seem so stiff and awkward so hopefully the injury is good now.

He actually engaged physically and was great on the forecheck and defensively and got rewarded with some points too.

If he could ever be engaged like this game all the time he might actually live up to his ridiculous contracts.

 

[Da Mash]

For the record, he never went on LTIR. He was just on IR. They never said what his injury was.

Who knows what the future holds. Maybe he's healthy rest of the way? Why wouldn't you want your captain to play if he's good to go?

I never stated I wanted 34 not to play.
But if it’s a back issue or hip pointer etc then I was ASKING would it be an option and wise to put him on LTIR and use his cap savings at trade deadline. As mentioned like Vegas did with Stone.

34 mentioned that it will be a yr long issue.
It would be a shame if we get near the end of the season and 34 has another set back and all of a sudden we don’t have our captain for the playoffs

As stated …he had a very good game last night. I’m not sure he is at full speed tho.

 

[HellasLEAF]

I would argue Matthews has looked as good in other games this season. It's been sporadic at that level mind you. He has not been healthy enough to put it together consistently. Clearly this rest period and whatever rehab has helped him. Solid game from Matthews, also notable to return in important divisional game against Bruins and not come out mixed or flat at home HNIC pretty big game shows leadership. Hopefully it continues and they still have an eye to manage Matthews with playoffs being the priority. Having said that, if he is healthy to play he will lace them up and get out on the ice to help his teammates. All this talk of LTIR I get it but it's a bit nauseating. Personally I would rather win with Matthews on the ice leading the team into round 1.

 

[Roo]

Lots of speculation that his injury is related to his back. Still doesn’t make sense to me as back injuries generally heal with rest. They would rest him instead of try to play through it if true. I wonder if it is PCS. Not sure when he had his bell rung, but the unpredictable nature of PCS seems like it fits what we’ve seen over the past few months.

 

[Stephen]

The last two games Matthews has looked a lot better than before. The energy and physicality is there and he's brought the offense right away. The timing looks a little off at times but those are good work in progress issues vs he's just on energy saver mode. Shot hasn't really materialized yet but hopefully it comes.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

He looked real good this weekend. I don’t know what he and the medical team have done but it’s a marked improvement compared to the last time he returned to the lineup.

 

[Maple Leaf]

papi

 

[Tie Domi Esquire]

Matthews had a really good game tonight. He didn’t seem so stiff and awkward so hopefully the injury is good now.

He actually engaged physically and was great on the forecheck and defensively and got rewarded with some points too.

If he could ever be engaged like this game all the time he might actually live up to his ridiculous contracts.

This is the only way he can play in the Four Nations Cup without facing heat (as if). All is going to plan.

 

[BraveCanadian]

The best two games he has played all season were the last two but I still wonder if he'll stay healthy or engaged like this for the longer term. The Leafs need a captain that plays like he did Saturday.

 

[TonsofPuppies]

I have been very critical of Matthews and not just this season. He has looked great these last two games though, hopefully he keeps it rolling.

 

[Stephen]

The best two games he has played all season were the last two but I still wonder if he'll stay healthy or engaged like this for the longer term. The Leafs need a captain that plays like he did Saturday.

Hopefully this is the real Auston. If he’s playing at this level it solves a lot of the headaches and dilemmas associated with so many things.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

The first return back he looked laboured and you could tell something was off, and it was reflected in his play (and his ultimate return to the injured list). This time, after these past two games, there has been a noticeable difference. Much quicker, more engaged, and made the plays we are used to seeing him make. Here's hoping that it's a sign that his injury issues are behind him.

 

[sunstersun]

Honestly he's so good it's shocking sometimes. He needs to be more physical all the time. He has all the tools to do so. Go into the game with the mentality of physically bullying your opponents. It will open up the scoring and playmaking.

 

[BraveCanadian]

Honestly he's so good it's shocking sometimes. He needs to be more physical all the time. He has all the tools to do so. Go into the game with the mentality of physically bullying your opponents. It will open up the scoring and playmaking.

On the rare occasions that he plays like he did Saturday, Matthew$ is a force.

Unfortunately this is the guy who brought in Joe Thornton on the mentors trip which tells me a lot.

 

[Sypher04]

On the rare occasions that he plays like he did Saturday, Matthew$ is a force.

Not at all rare.

 

[MSZ]

They actually re-did the Gretzky/Sundin commercial with Matthews/McJesus, unbelievable.

 

[DarkKnight]

So Mike Johnson on TSN said Matthews was the fastest he’s been all season Sunday night, based on how they measure it. Interesting and a good sign.

 

[ToneDog]

On the rare occasions that he plays like he did Saturday, Matthew$ is a force.

Unfortunately this is the guy who brought in Joe Thornton on the mentors trip which tells me a lot.

Hope nobody brought in Marleau.

 

[thewave]

Is there a big pad on the lower back of Matthews? It looked like he had something there on the last faceoff

 

[Aashir]

I still haven't seen him zip a shot past the goalie but everything else is there.

Passing? Check
Defence? Check
Skating? Super Check

 

[HaveKnifeWillButcher]

Even with this injury-filled season, still has an outside chance at becoming only the 3rd player in NHL history to score 500 goals before the age of 30.