Tribute Auston Matthews Discussion "the Beauty" Edition

[authentic]

He tried his damnedest to make this team something it wasn't and thank god he didn't succeed.

This team resembles the Penguins, not the Blues.


On another note, Matthews' effort level is finally back to where it was in his rookie year. Was awesome to see him relentlessly hunting those pucks down last night. This version of Matthews is legit one of the very best players in the league and absolutely worth his contract, just need him to continue like this.

See, this is exactly why I have argued so many times this season that he did not play a very good game compared to what I know he's capable of.

 

[authentic]

matthews has played really fantastic hockey recently

am i the only one who has not been overly impressed with matthews and marner playing together?

Considering how little they've played together at ES so far in their careers, you could be in rare company. Just wait until their chemistry grows, they will dominate far more than they have already which will be scary for opposing teams.

 

[mammothCacti]

He is just not very smart and a terrible tactician. He’s terrible and the team won in spite of him and because of talent. It never was Babcock unless it was anything bad then it was all him. Sorry if i missed something in bashing the dirtbag

You are right he's a terrible tactician, but not because he's stupid. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but his tactic (yes singular) to start a game is one of, if not the, best. It's intricate, it's detailed and it takes a while to develop. If the opposing coach cannot beat the way Babcock tells the team to play- the Leafs win the game.

However, if a coach adapts his style mid-way through a game or series, Babcock is simply unable to adjust his tactics. If the new tactic counter's Toronto's, it simply doesn't matter how good all your players are, they are at a disadvantage at this level. The Leafs lose the game.

Babcock will adjust a few games by a few games, but a good tactician (ie. Boston) will already know the style they are currently playing, knows how Babcock will switch to counter it and already have another tactic to counter Babcock's adjustments before he does. Simply put, Babcock is about as predictable as Monday following a Sunday.

 

[Dekes For Days]

I understand the idea that some confuse more flash for more skill, but in the case of your Marner and Matthews example I don't even think Marner is a flashier player

I and I think many would disagree. That seems to be the reason when people think Marner is better than Matthews.

I think he's a smarter player though.

Probably. He is one of if not the smartest player in the league IMO. It's by far his best attribute.

Matthews being a better stickhandler than MacKinnon is highly debatable too

Really? I don't remember a better stickhandler since Datsyuk.

MacKinnon has faster hands and seems to have just as good puck control at top speed which is a higher top speed than Matthews.

I would agree that Mackinnon is faster and has better puck control at top speed, but I also think that skill has the opportunity to be utilized in a game less often than other ones, and thus has a lesser accumulated impact.

Also, I don't know what stacked line Colorado managed to put together while Rantanen was out of the lineup from October 21 - November 30th, but MacKinno had 27 points in 16 games in that time frame according to the game logs.

Kadri, Donskoi, and Burakovsky were the 3 most prominent fill-ins I believe. While true that Mackinnon had a really great hot streak during that time, all of Kadri, Donskoi, and Burakovsky are seeing significantly inflated OISH%s or SH%s this season. While this could be in part due to the impact of Mackinnon, they've been doing this pretty much the whole season even when away from him. I'm not usually a big fan of making these kinds of admittedly biased judgements on the cause of points, and I'm not trying to take credit away from Mackinnon who still unquestionably drove that line. Just trying to make the point that contributions to Mackinnon's point totals from linemates during that small sample likely weren't as low as they normally would be in those player's average states.

 

[Teeder Keon]

He tried his damnedest to make this team something it wasn't and thank god he didn't succeed.

This team resembles the Penguins, not the Blues.


On another note, Matthews' effort level is finally back to where it was in his rookie year. Was awesome to see him relentlessly hunting those pucks down last night. This version of Matthews is legit one of the very best players in the league and absolutely worth his contract, just need him to continue like this.

Totally agree
All that young man needs is to compete hard the way he has been recently , his skill set is incredible ..
I really hope he continues and everything will fall into place for him personally and for the team .
He is the most impactual player we have and one of the top five in the league ..
It’s been so amazing watching him recently .

 

[Dayjobdave]

Matthews has been playing great lately. I really hope he gets 50 this year.

Btw I wonder what he NHL record is for most multi goal games without a 3 goal game.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Ten goals in the last ten games and 15 points. He is only 2 goals off of pasta and the goal scoring lead now. Just lethal since Keefe gave him the 14 minute ice time message ha

 

[Wafflewhipper]

G

Matthews has been playing great lately. I really hope he gets 50 this year.

Btw I wonder what he NHL record is for most multi goal games without a 3 goal game.

Gretzky probably owns it.

 

[Mickey Marner]

Matthews has been playing great lately. I really hope he gets 50 this year.

Btw I wonder what he NHL record is for most multi goal games without a 3 goal game.

Datsyuk or Mellanby has the record I would guess.

 

[HellasLEAF]

Matthews is silencing critics with his play.

So much improvement in all areas of his play under Keefe. It's been a joy to watch his development of late. Becoming a dominant player.

Again, I must praise Keefe's utilization of him. He has been the maestro. Keefe for Prime Minister.

 

[Bluebear]

I would obviously hope you're right, but when I watch both (admittedly I watch Matthews a lot more) I usually come away thinking MacKinnon is a better player, and it's not just based on raw points either, it's their actual skillsets and offensive IQ where I can honestly say without much doubt MacKinnon is better based on observation alone, and he just happens to produce far more points on top of it. I think Matthews at his best is better defensively, but as an overall player I simply believe that regardless of their deployment on the ice, ice time, linemates etc, MacKinnon would outproduce him every time. Points per 60 are not linear to getting more ice time, although I agree that generally a player will score more with more time especially on the powerplay. I just don't see what offensive skills Matthews has over MacKinnon other than his wrist shot which MacKinnon is even not far behind in.

I think Matthews would be better if he was just a bit more aggressive. Skating harder finishing checks with authority. He seems like hes afraid of hurting guys and lets off in the corners. I'm not talking play as hard as Lindros, but if he would develop a bit of a mean streak, and throw his weight around. He just seems like he doesn't always give it full effort.

 

[supermann_98]

I think Matthews would be better if he was just a bit more aggressive. Skating harder finishing checks with authority. He seems like hes afraid of hurting guys and lets off in the corners. I'm not talking play as hard as Lindros, but if he would develop a bit of a mean streak, and throw his weight around. He just seems like he doesn't always give it full effort.

Agreed, he just seems like a chill guy and doesn't want to hurt people, because if he had a screw loose like Scott Stevens and threw his weight around he'd be scary.

It would be a lot of fun to watch but id rather he not break his hands in fights and getting injured somehow throwing the body.

Wendel was my favourite player but playing that way takes it toll on the body, I wanna see Matthews playing 80-82 games a year consistently

 

[Vaive50]

Matthews, just get a hat trick against the Wild so you can pass Pasta (hoping he doesn't score til then) for the lead for the Rocket Richard and then just keep it going to be the first Leaf (post-Original 6) to win that trophy. Your on pace for 53 goals but since that pace has changed rapidly since Keefe took over, your chances to get 60 are looking good.

 

[pcruz]

Matthews, just get a hat trick against the Wild so you can pass Pasta (hoping he doesn't score til then) for the lead for the Rocket Richard and then just keep it going to be the first Leaf (post-Original 6) to win that trophy. Your on pace for 53 goals but since that pace has changed rapidly since Keefe took over, your chances to get 60 are looking good.

f*** that. Hope he scores 4. 30 goals before the new year would be incredible.

Wonder when the last time that happened.

Stammer or Ovi?

Before them, maybe back to Mario?

 

[Dekes For Days]

I think we see talents and wonder why they don’t translate to playoff success.

It's because people see the only measure of playoff success as "how many rounds you win, bro?"

While true that winning rounds is the ultimate goal, I don't think some people really understand how close we may have been to that top level of teams over the last couple years because the quality of team we have faced in the last 3 years is insanely high and unprecedented (1st, 4th, 3rd in the league) for a team of our quality. We faced the 1st, 4th, and 3rd best teams in the league; all veteran teams, with an average point total of over 112. We lost in 6 close games against the best team in the league, and 7 games to the 3rd and 4th best teams, while facing some significant disadvantages (injuries, suspensions, questionable officiating, questionable coaching, etc.). In 2 of those 3 years, the Leafs lost to a team who lost to the eventual cup winner in 7 games. "1st round exit" doesn't really capture the true circumstances.

 

[Gabriel426]

It's because people see the only measure of playoff success as "how many rounds you win, bro?"

While true that winning rounds is the ultimate goal, I don't think some people really understand how close we may have been to that top level of teams over the last couple years because the quality of team we have faced in the last 3 years is insanely high and unprecedented (1st, 4th, 3rd in the league) for a team of our quality. We faced the 1st, 4th, and 3rd best teams in the league; all veteran teams, with an average point total of over 112. We lost in 6 close games against the best team in the league, and 7 games to the 3rd and 4th best teams, while facing some significant disadvantages (injuries, suspensions, questionable officiating, questionable coaching, etc.). In 2 of those 3 years, the Leafs lost to a team who lost to the eventual cup winner in 7 games. "1st round exit" doesn't really capture the true circumstances.

No doubt about it. I think the team is still very young and the instant success of the kids have clouded our expectations of the team. As I mentioned in my other post, I really don’t see Leafs not winning any rounds in the playoffs as a failure as they were beaten by the better team.

 

[The Iceman]

I didn't want Mathews to get the "C" when all the Captain talk was going around. Didn't love his effort or consistency.

Small sample but in the last few weeks Auston has been our leader offensively/defensively/on the back check/ in the faceoff dot.
Legit MVP candidate if he keeps this attitude and effort level. He can put this team on his back.

 

[Gabriel426]

I didn't want Mathews to get the "C" when all the Captain talk was going around. Didn't love his effort or consistency.

Small sample but in the last few weeks Auston has been our leader offensively/defensively/on the back check/ in the faceoff dot.
Legit MVP candidate if he keeps this attitude and effort level. He can put this team on his back.

I think he truly dominated after the 14mins game. Think he got the message.

 

[authentic]

Matthews has been playing great lately. I really hope he gets 50 this year.

Btw I wonder what he NHL record is for most multi goal games without a 3 goal game.

It's crazy how he had 4 in his first game but hasn't had a hat trick since, but that's mostly due to bad luck I think. The amount of games he's had 2 goals and hit a post or two is astounding.

 

[authentic]

**** that. Hope he scores 4. 30 goals before the new year would be incredible.

Wonder when the last time that happened.

Stammer or Ovi?

Before them, maybe back to Mario?

By the 38th game on December 28th 2010, Crosby had 32 goals and 65 points. Scoring throughout the league was also lower then than it is now.

 

[pcruz]

By the 38th game on December 28th 2010, Crosby had 32 goals and 65 points. Scoring throughout the league was also lower then than it is now.

It's scary to be reminded of how much Crosby changed his game into a goal scoring threat on a whim.
Just decided on year he was going to score more goals, and instantly becomes a 50+ goal guy.

And yet, I always forget that.
I continue to associate Crosby with 40 - 70 - 100+ seasons.

 

[authentic]

It's scary to be reminded of how much Crosby changed his game into a goal scoring threat on a whim.
Just decided on year he was going to score more goals, and instantly becomes a 50+ goal guy.

And yet, I always forget that.
I continue to associate Crosby with 40 - 70 - 100+ seasons.

Funny enough he's never even had more than 60 assists in any season he's had 40+ goals. In 2010-11 I think he was well on his way to a near 60 goal and 120+ point season though.

 

[pcruz]

Funny enough he's never even had more than 60 assists in any season he's had 40+ goals. In 2010-11 I think he was well on his way to a near 60 goal and 120+ point season though.

The guy literally decides what kind of season he's going to have.

"hmm, this year I'm going to put up 120 points with 85 assists." And he does it.

"hmm, this year, I'm going to win the Richard trophy." And he does it.

"hmm, this year, I'm going to miss 40 games due to concussion." And he does it.

Uncanny.

 

[authentic]

I think Matthews would be better if he was just a bit more aggressive. Skating harder finishing checks with authority. He seems like hes afraid of hurting guys and lets off in the corners. I'm not talking play as hard as Lindros, but if he would develop a bit of a mean streak, and throw his weight around. He just seems like he doesn't always give it full effort.

Well since that last injury I think he has tried to preserve himself, which is really a smart thing to do. I think we're starting to see more of that energy he played with earlier in his career as well as using his size more. The thing is he always does it in flashes and never usually keeps it up. I would rather him not get hurt if that's what it comes down to, but really that could just happen anyway even if he tried to avoid contact at all costs. All I know is I like what I see from him lately and if he could bring that game 3/4 times instead of 2/4, 1/4, etc. then that would be great.

 

[Ryan Michaels]

He is just not very smart and a terrible tactician. He’s terrible and the team won in spite of him and because of talent. It never was Babcock unless it was anything bad then it was all him. Sorry if i missed something in bashing the dirtbag

I mean, ya, I probably wouldn't go quite that far but that's what all the evidence seems to suggest... Odd choice for what I assume was satire?