Player Discussion Auston Matthews (Captain Edition)

[Aashir]

he was not good

multiple d zone turnovers, did nothing offensively

I will say it again, it is not that hard to shutdown alex barkov on EVS

but we are up 2-0 so i won't say another bad thing about him till next game

 

[Dave92]

It's funny that people blame injury but his numbers are actually better than usual. He's just a loser that can't execute come playoff time. Any other top 6 player gets that puck at center with the goalie pulled and the game is over.

And his speeches about "do it for each other" are just embarrassing to listen to.

 

[Jojalu]

I mean, yes, but if Matthews is scoring, it's clearly better for the team.

Of course it is.

Yet 100 games later it seems unlikley that his injury is going to get better.

Can anyone give an example where Matthews isn't giving his best every shift?

And no, throwing a stupid pass up the middle of the ice is not one.

If he was scoring and not winning draws, or blocking shots, you wouls bitch about that.

They are winning as a team. Picking each other up. Enjoy it

 

[Aashir]

Of course it is.

Yet 100 games later it seems unlikley that his injury is going to get better.

Can anyone give an example where Matthews isn't giving his best every shift?

And no, throwing a stupid pass up the middle of the ice is not one.

If he was scoring and not winning draws, or blocking shots, you wouls bitch about that.

They are winning as a team. Picking each other up. Enjoy it

while it is fair to say matthews's injury has hampered him and we shouldn't be expecting the same type of goalscorer, i also believe it's fair to expect more than 2 goals in 8 games from our 1C.

I get he is trying his best, but sometimes you need the "best" to actually result in him doing things to help the team win offensively, specifically on the scoresheet.

If the team can somehow win with matthews being at this level than sure he can become a pure shutdown plauer, but something tells me nylander won't continue to score 13 points in 8 games. So instead we are going to need him to start either scoring goals or creating offence that results in goals through good playmaking

 

[Stephen]

Nope.

We need to stop saying player x needs to do this, and player z needs to do this.

Has anyone listened to what the players say about Berube's coaching style?

He believes in 18 players on the ice all filling roles. He understands who is struggling, who is going and has them believing in team first.

The Leafs as of now don't need Matthews to score. They are winning.

What on earth are you talking about? Things are going well for the team right now and we can’t worry too much about poor individual production but if Matthews converts on just a small fraction of the PP opportunities in Game 1 and 2 the margins of victory are just more comfortable and helps the team the way superstar talent is supposed to help the team.

Marner did it tonight. Nylander did it tonight. And Patches stepped up again. Matthews is on deck. Expectations can’t be lowered.

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

Thanks for getting an assist Matty. At least I hit my parlay

 

[Stephen]

while it is fair to say matthews's injury has hampered him and we shouldn't be expecting the same type of goalscorer, i also believe it's fair to expect more than 2 goals in 8 games from our 1C.

I get he is trying his best, but sometimes you need the "best" to actually result in him doing things to help the team win offensively, specifically on the scoresheet.

If the team can somehow win with matthews being at this level than sure he can become a pure shutdown plauer, but something tells me nylander won't continue to score 13 points in 8 games. So instead we are going to need him to start either scoring goals or creating offence that results in goals through good playmaking

You’d have to think that one dominant performance from Matthews will help the Leafs get to a 3rd win this series and if he can be a scoring contributor they will contribute in any potential close out situation. Guys like Domi and Patches are giving us secondary scoring. Rielly is chipping in here and there. Knies. Keeps us ahead in the race but we need AM34.

 

[Gabriel426]

If he can have ONE dominant game this series. That will probably be good enough for the Leafs to advance.

 

[Divine]

This guy needs to show up.

Highest paid player in the league and not only can he not score, but he can’t even hit empty netters anymore. Imagine if we had the old Matthews

 

[TopCheeseShotta]

Top of my lungs yelling at this guy all night To get in the corner first for once, or to not rush the puck off his stick unnecessarily, or to not fall over on his own, or not to desperately avoid contact at all costs... He's just not built for this time of year. I feel for him - but It is insanely frustrating to behold.

 

[thewave]

This guy needs to show up.




Highest paid player in the league and not only can he not score, but he can’t even hit empty netters anymore. Imagine if we had the old Matthews

He did show up. He was working his ass off. He needs another winger though with speed ideally because they are hemmed in with Marner it's a bad line combo for this series.

Sneak Marner into situations he outmatches the talent on the ice for FLA

 

[Welsh Maple Leaf]

It's funny that people blame injury but his numbers are actually better than usual. He's just a loser that can't execute come playoff time. Any other top 6 player gets that puck at center with the goalie pulled and the game is over.

And his speeches about "do it for each other" are just embarrassing to listen to.

What's really funny is a nerd on a hockey forum calling a millionaire world class athlete a loser.

 

[ToneDog]

If he can have ONE dominant game this series. That will probably be good enough for the Leafs to advance.

Maybe he is saving it for the later rounds?

 

[Jojalu]

What on earth are you talking about? Things are going well for the team right now and we can’t worry too much about poor individual production but if Matthews converts on just a small fraction of the PP opportunities in Game 1 and 2 the margins of victory are just more comfortable and helps the team the way superstar talent is supposed to help the team.

Marner did it tonight. Nylander did it tonight. And Patches stepped up again. Matthews is on deck. Expectations can’t be lowered.

No they can't. But they can be managed.

Matthews struggled all year to score. How was it going to change come playoffs? Show me a play where he is not trying, or taking a play off. When that happens then it's time to go after him

 

[Jojalu]

while it is fair to say matthews's injury has hampered him and we shouldn't be expecting the same type of goalscorer, i also believe it's fair to expect more than 2 goals in 8 games from our 1C.

I get he is trying his best, but sometimes you need the "best" to actually result in him doing things to help the team win offensively, specifically on the scoresheet.

If the team can somehow win with matthews being at this level than sure he can become a pure shutdown plauer, but something tells me nylander won't continue to score 13 points in 8 games. So instead we are going to need him to start either scoring goals or creating offence that results in goals through good playmaking

So Matthews is tied for 14th in svoring these playoffs. Not great. But still PPG.

He is #1 in faceoffs won
#1 in blocked shots for all forwards.
#1 in takeaways for all forwards
#15 in hits for all forwards.
Been on the ice for 3 goals against 5v5. (Rantanen has been on for 6. McDavid for 8 etc)

Yes. It would be great if he could find a way to contribute more offensively, but what are we doing here?

 

[thewave]

So Matthews is tied for 14th in svoring these playoffs. Not great. But still PPG.

He is #1 in faceoffs won
#1 in blocked shots for all forwards.
#1 in takeaways for all forwards
#15 in hits for all forwards.
Been on the ice for 3 goals against 5v5. (Rantanen has been on for 6. McDavid for 8 etc)

Yes. It would be great if he could find a way to contribute more offensively, but what are we doing here?

Matthews has been great. Also covering up for Marners lack of doing much of anything physical too.

 

[Tie Domi Esquire]

When he shot at the empty net instead of getting past the center line I almost lost my mind.

 

[Zybalto]

So Matthews is tied for 14th in svoring these playoffs. Not great. But still PPG.

He is #1 in faceoffs won
#1 in blocked shots for all forwards.
#1 in takeaways for all forwards
#15 in hits for all forwards.
Been on the ice for 3 goals against 5v5. (Rantanen has been on for 6. McDavid for 8 etc)

Yes. It would be great if he could find a way to contribute more offensively, but what are we doing here?

Just a quick note, he's been on the ice for 3 ES goals but only 1 5v5 goal.

Just to throw a quick comparison, Selke brothers Barkov and Reinhart have been on for 3 5v5 goals against the Matthews line in the 2 games this series.

 

[Tedd]

Why is everyone saying that Matthews is playing injured? Where is the proof? Specifically what is he favoring on his body? He has zero issues going after the puck and battling along the wall. Is it his wrist? He has a history of wrist problems, including surgery in August 2021. Why did he go to Munich Germany for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections? Upper body could mean the neck, shoulders, back, anything. He's been fairly brittle during his career. This is why it's very doubtful he will pass Ovechkin for the goal scoring record. Ovey has been an ironman, and Austin, the exact opposite. Matthews won't play the same number of games as Ovey .

 

[arso40]

So Matthews is tied for 14th in svoring these playoffs. Not great. But still PPG.

He is #1 in faceoffs won
#1 in blocked shots for all forwards.
#1 in takeaways for all forwards
#15 in hits for all forwards.
Been on the ice for 3 goals against 5v5. (Rantanen has been on for 6. McDavid for 8 etc)

Yes. It would be great if he could find a way to contribute more offensively, but what are we doing here?

This right here Hes been a defensive force not scoring like anyone would like but he’s still been one of our best players and if the selke was a playoff defensive trophy he would be the clear front runner

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

If this guy could hit an empty net I'd be thankful

 

[tuckerintensity]

A chuck from Marner does not make 5on5 domiance.

Ummm...

... that's 8-1 at 5 on 5 this playoffs.

Not just one goal if you read more than the first three words. I also didn't call that dominance, but it sounds like you think these kind of numbers are that.

 

[Tak7]

If this guy could hit an empty net I'd be thankful

Two games in a row where he's had really good looks for an ENG, and his shot has ended up in a different postal code every time. He's not even close.

He's squeezing his stick massively right now it feels, but I'd much rather this version of Matthews, who is getting his looks, than the one we saw in the Ottawa series, who seemed to really struggle to get into any sort of dangerous positions.

Can't see him staying off the board much longer.

 

[Tedd]

Matthews Recurring Injuries & Notable Absences​

Wrist Injuries​

• 2020–21 Season: Played through a lingering wrist injury that affected his shot and faceoffs. He still won the Rocket Richard Trophy but admitted it was an ongoing issue throughout the season.
• August 2021: Underwent wrist surgery to address the same problem. Missed the start of the 2021–22 season.
• Why this matters: This is the most plausible long-term concern when people suspect something is wrong with his shot or puck control. A recurrence in 2024–25 would explain the trip to Germany (for PRP, stem cell therapy, or similar treatments).

Head/Concussion Concerns​

• April 2024 (Game 4 vs. Boston): Took a “weird hit” and was pulled by team doctors. Later confirmed by GM Brad Treliving to be a head injury combined with illness.
• Speculation: Jay Rosehill pointed to an earlier hit in Game 80 (April 13, 2024) as the real start of possible concussion-like symptoms.

Lower/Upper Body Injuries​

• 2017–18: Missed 10 games with a right shoulder injury after a collision with the Islanders’ Cal Clutterbuck.
• 2018–19: Missed 14 games with a left shoulder injury.
• 2022–23: Sidelined briefly with a knee sprain.

---

Trip to Germany – Likely Reasons​

In November 2024, Matthews traveled to Munich, Germany, for treatment on an unspecified upper-body injury. Possible reasons include:

• Advanced therapies: PRP injections, biologics, or ozone therapy.
• Rehabilitation with leading sports performance centers like the one associated with FC Bayern Munich, popular among pro athletes for soft-tissue or joint issues.
• Potential targets for this kind of treatment:
  • Wrist tendons/ligaments
  • Chronic inflammation
  • Nerve impingement or muscular adhesion

---

Summary of Injury Clues Relevant to 2024–25​

Type	Season(s)	Speculation for 24–25 Relevance
Wrist	2020–21, 2021–22	Very likely – affects scoring, treatment in Germany aligns
Head	2024 Playoffs	Confirmed – could explain Game 5–6 absence
Forearm	No confirmed past injuries	No public record, but could be related to wrist strain
Shoulder	2017–2019	Less likely – no recent recurrence

 

[Jojalu]

Matthews Recurring Injuries & Notable Absences​

Wrist Injuries​

• 2020–21 Season: Played through a lingering wrist injury that affected his shot and faceoffs. He still won the Rocket Richard Trophy but admitted it was an ongoing issue throughout the season.
• August 2021: Underwent wrist surgery to address the same problem. Missed the start of the 2021–22 season.
• Why this matters: This is the most plausible long-term concern when people suspect something is wrong with his shot or puck control. A recurrence in 2024–25 would explain the trip to Germany (for PRP, stem cell therapy, or similar treatments).

Head/Concussion Concerns​

• April 2024 (Game 4 vs. Boston): Took a “weird hit” and was pulled by team doctors. Later confirmed by GM Brad Treliving to be a head injury combined with illness.
• Speculation: Jay Rosehill pointed to an earlier hit in Game 80 (April 13, 2024) as the real start of possible concussion-like symptoms.

Lower Body Injuries​

• 2017–18: Missed 10 games with a right shoulder injury after a collision with the Islanders’ Cal Clutterbuck.
• 2018–19: Missed 14 games with a left shoulder injury.
• 2022–23: Sidelined briefly with a knee sprain.

---

Trip to Germany – Likely Reasons​

In November 2024, Matthews traveled to Munich, Germany, for treatment on an unspecified upper-body injury. Possible reasons include:

• Advanced therapies: PRP injections, biologics, or ozone therapy.
• Rehabilitation with leading sports performance centers like the one associated with FC Bayern Munich, popular among pro athletes for soft-tissue or joint issues.
• Potential targets for this kind of treatment:
  • Wrist tendons/ligaments
  • Chronic inflammation
  • Nerve impingement or muscular adhesion

---

Summary of Injury Clues Relevant to 2024–25​

Type	Season(s)	Speculation for 24–25 Relevance
Wrist	2020–21, 2021–22	Very likely – affects scoring, treatment in Germany aligns
Head	2024 Playoffs	Confirmed – could explain Game 5–6 absence
Forearm	No confirmed past injuries	No public record, but could be related to wrist strain
Shoulder	2017–2019	Less likely – no recent recurrence

This is some damn fine research