Player Discussion Auston Matthews (Captain Edition)

[rumman]

Less 4Nations trophy than Marner

No argument there, 16 showed up when it counted most……..

 

[LeafEgo]

Proven winner and playoff beast Brady Tkachuk

I think at this point we can accept that the folks who said Brady would make a great playoff player were correct.

 

[ACC1224]

I think at this point we can accept that the folks who said Brady would make a great playoff player were correct.

I don't think anyone thought he wouldn't be.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Mcdavid says it himself, Matthews leaves his assignment to cover a defensive breakdown and Fox never really recovered. That’s not to absolve Matthews of blame, he could have made the safe play and stick to his man in the slot.

It sounds like McDavid is looking forward to coming to Toronto when he becomes a UFA?

 

[not quite yoda]

delete

 

[rumman]

Delete

 

[mikeyz]

 

[Metroid]

It went to Makar on the point and Fox came from his side thinking there was a shot incoming and checked Point out front. Makar was already wringing it around the boards to a now all alone Marner while Fox skated behind the net to catch up to the play but he had effectively taken himself out of the situation. Matthews then rushed to pressure Marner but was too late and got caught not being able to impede the pass and not covering McDavid out front.

Beauty hockey by Canada there that left maybe the best playmaker in the league with loads of time to pass it out to the best player in the world for the winner.

This all happened really fast too. Matthews takes some blame here of course but Matthews was the best player on the ice that game for the US driving play the entire game for them. He should be proud for how he played all tourney.

Maybe this helps.

 

[notbias]

I think it's as simple as he thought he had to pressure and that the player beside him had the slot.

I think multiple players were out of position (mostly Fox chasing), but yes, Matthews played it wrong, bad play and unfortunate cause he had a great tournament, especially defensively.

 

[Roo]

That’s the point, in the end he came through, something that 34 hasn’t been able to do when it matters………

it's all about perspective....

USA loses in regulation if Matthews doesn't set up their two goals.

McDavid doesn't get a chance to score the game winner if Binnington doesn't make some big saves in OT.

Same can be said for the Leafs. Matthews sets up the go ahead goal in game 7, and it’s the gwg if Samsonov shuts down the door instead of letting in a softie.

Matthews had a big game on the biggest stage and their team isn't there if not for him. There’s a reason the coaching staff wanted him up against the best player in the world. McDavid did absolutely nothing all game until that point, and many players are skilled enough to score in the slot all alone, especially Matthews. You’re criticizing him for not scoring the OT winner, but the other 40 or so best players in the world didn’t either.

 

[Smif]

Wow, that pass from Mitch was tape to tape right where McDavid needed it to be able to load and release quick.

 

[Zybalto]

it's all about perspective....

USA loses in regulation if Matthews doesn't set up their two goals.

McDavid doesn't get a chance to score the game winner if Binnington doesn't make some big saves in OT.

Same can be said for the Leafs. Matthew’s sets up the go ahead goal in game 7, and it’s the gwg if Samsonov shuts down the door.

Matthews had a big game on the biggest stage and their team isn't there if not for him. There’s a reason the coaching staff wanted him up against the best player in the world. McDavid did absolutely nothing all game until that point, and many players are skilled enough to score in the slot all alone, especially Matthew’s. You’re criticizing him for not scoring the OT winner, but the other 40 or so best players in the world didn’t either.

Key sentence.

Outside of maybe Woll in a couple games, has any goalie ever shut the door for the Leafs the last 8 years?

Samsonov, short side Freddy, friggin Jack Campbell. How many great moments have been stolen from us riding with those losers.

 

[Roo]

Key sentence.

Outside of maybe Woll in a couple games, has any goalie ever shut the door for the Leafs the last 8 years?

Samsonov, short side Freddy, friggin Jack Campbell. How many great moments have been stolen from us riding with those losers.

Absolutely, it’s the reason why mgmt focused on D and goaltending. It’s been the glaring issue.

If Binnington doesn’t rob Tkachuk in OT, everyone would be talking about McDavid disappearing last night.

 

[MK78]

If Binnington doesn’t rob Tkachuk in OT, everyone would be talking about McDavid disappearing last night.

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts we'd all have a Merry Christmas.

 

[BraveCanadian]

I think at this point we can accept that the folks who said Brady would make a great playoff player were correct.

It depends if the whistles are out or put away like they were in this tourney. If stuff is getting called then Brady will end up as a younger Kadri costing his team for being a dumbass doing dumbass things.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Key sentence.

Outside of maybe Woll in a couple games, has any goalie ever shut the door for the Leafs the last 8 years?

Samsonov, short side Freddy, friggin Jack Campbell. How many great moments have been stolen from us riding with those losers.

Not defending any of those goalies, but how many times did the Leafs score 1 or zero goals in the winner take all games?

The Leafs have also scored more than 2 goals just once (3 in game 2 vs Boston) in the last 14 playoff games. If that trend continues this year, they won't go very far, regardless of the upgrades in net.

 

[ULF_55]

Canada - USA - Feb 20, 2025 | NHL.com

NHL Gamecenter - Canada vs. USA, Feb 20, 2025 - summary, stats, boxscore, play by play, recap and more.

www.nhl.com

In anyone wants/needs a recap and clarity on the goals.

 

[Zybalto]

Not defending any of those goalies, but how many times did the Leafs score 1 or zero goals in those winner take all games?

The Leafs have also scored more than 2 goals just once (3 in game 2 vs Boston) in the last 14 playoff games. If that trend continues this year, they won't go very far, regardless of the upgrades in net.

During Tampas cup runs, a ton of the elimination games were 1-0 and 2-1 wins. They never really trailed and could always could on Vasy to have their backs.

How different those games would be played if, say, Vasy was letting in unscreened floaters from the point or short-side charmin soft wristers.

Theyd maybe win a series or 2 is what would happen.....

 

[rumman]

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts we'd all have a Merry Christmas.

EXACTLY.

 

[ToneDog]

It sounds like McDavid is looking forward to coming to Toronto when he becomes a UFA?

Guess Matty doesn't know the book on Marner and he should have taken away the pass since odds are Marner isn't shooting it.

 

[rumman]

Guess Matty doesn't know the book on Marner and he should have taken away the pass since odds are Marner isn't shooting it.

I was wondering the same thing, Mitch ain’t shooting it, and definitely not from there…….

 

[DarkKnight]

Guess Matty doesn't know the book on Marner and he should have taken away the pass since odds are Marner isn't shooting it.

That's exactly what he was trying to do. It's funny to me, the whole league knows the book, yet are seemingly hypnotized when he has the puck, same thing second goal.

 

[keonsbitterness]

During Tampas cup runs, a ton of the elimination games were 1-0 and 2-1 wins. They never really trailed and could always could on Vasy to have their backs.

How different those games would be played if, say, Vasy was letting in unscreened floaters from the point or short-side charmin soft wristers.

Theyd maybe win a series or 2 is what would happen.....

Fair enough with our goalie issues, but 1.8 goals per game (see last 12 playoff games) won't win four rounds even with great goaltending.

 

[Zybalto]

Fair enough with our goalie issues, but 1.8 goals per game (see last 12 playoff games) won't win four rounds even with great goaltending.

Not saying it was the only reason but our big guys could be scoring like the McDrai and we arnt getting a cup with the keepers we have had. Skinner on the Oilers is better, hes at least won them a couple games.

Feeling much better this year grabbing the underrated Stolarz for a song.

 

[WillNy29]

I've heard the defense for it and it sounds eerily similar to CNN trying to defend Joe Biden after the Biden/Trump debate.

Centers almost NEVER go deep in the corner. There has to be a crazy circumstance for that to happen.

Matthews does this stuff all the time where it probably won't show on a Moneypuck chart but completely f***s his team in the defensive zone.

uhh it was box + 1 Mcdavid literally said they took advantage of the one vulnerability in that defensive zone set up (fox f***ing sucking ass and hannifin and Nelson getting caught which then leaves matthews in no mans land). the fact Marner handles that puck so cleanly so quickly should be getting the credit not that McDavid found himself open for once in the game when 34 was out against him. I thought Matthews put whichever line he was out against in his pocket all game. The one time McDavid got out against fox on an icing Marner, Maker and McDavid capitalized.

He definitely had his chances, but still didn’t get it done when the pressure was on. He’s a great talent, but he ain’t no McJesus, not even close……..

I know McDavid scored but he was ass all game (like he was in game 7, this time he just happened to have 16 find him all alone in the slot lol).