Auston Matthews x2 Rocket winner appreciation thread

[wingman75]

He had two late dump-ins that just seemed brain dead to me, maybe I was missing something.

The last one hit me... you described it perfectly. There was a 0% chance anyone in blue was getting to that, there was no one on that side. What I found most concerning, HE NEVER WANTED THE PUCK!! Insane. So he was hurt? Can't be, because this is the playoff standard for him. Crazy how he can be truly an MVP in the season, and a complete ghost in the playoffs.

 

[ORRFForever]

I mean we did, from tampas defence.

I watched the game with my elderly dad. We wanted this win so bad. No one steps up - the one that came closest was JT but... Holl.

The last one hit me... you described it perfectly. There was a 0% chance anyone in blue was getting to that, there was no one on that side. What I found most concerning, HE NEVER WANTED THE PUCK!! Insane. So he was hurt? Can't be, because this is the playoff standard for him. Crazy how he can be truly an MVP in the season, and a complete ghost in the playoffs.

He and Marner start every series like a house on fire. Then they disappear. EVERY YEAR !!!

 

[wingman75]

He and Marner start every series like a house on fire. Then they disappear. EVERY YEAR !!!

I think Marners stats show he has disappeared because Matthews literally does. I thought Mitch was very good tonight, showed he had balls... unlike his buddy.

 

[ORRFForever]

I think Marners stats show he has disappeared because Matthews literally does. I thought Mitch was very good tonight, showed he had balls... unlike his buddy.

Marner works his ass off. They both do. But neither is capable of the Big Moment.

Tampa's D is insane.

 

[Gabriel426]

Personally, I think AM is playing hurt. He shot was not snapping like in the regular season. But he was hitting and being aggressive. As much as I like Bunting, they need another player who can shoot on the line. AM probably won’t get 60 goals if that happens but the Leafs will be better in playoffs.

 

[wingman75]

Marner works his ass off. They both do. But neither is capable of the Big Moment.

Tampa's D is insane.

Their D is good, smart. We are a total perimeter team. We generate all our offence from the outside... so, clog up the inside, and voila! Tampa won smartly, we lost dumbly imo. I mean, we stayed true to who we are. Until we have a consistent way to generate offence from the inside, we are going to be easy to beat.

 

[saffronleaf]

Matthews was injured for sure. That injury late in the season spelled the end for the Leafs. But Matthews still had a very solid series.

 

[ORRFForever]

Their D is good, smart. We are a total perimeter team. We generate all our offence from the outside... so, clog up the inside, and voila! Tampa won smartly, we lost dumbly imo. I mean, we stayed true to who we are. Until we have a consistent way to generate offence from the inside, we are going to be easy to beat.

At the end of the day, we are not a playoff team.

 

[wingman75]

At the end of the day, we are not a playoff team.

Yea, to simplify it... The reason other teams call us soft is because of the way we play... outside, hardly EVER going to the dirty areas. Bunting does... JT sometimes, or tries at least.

The perfect example was the 2nd Paul goal... our forwards take that to the outside, do a curl, pass to the D or rim it around. None of our core players ever try to take that inside there imo. And that is why the makeup of our core has to change.

 

[Gabriel426]

Their D is good, smart. We are a total perimeter team. We generate all our offence from the outside... so, clog up the inside, and voila! Tampa won smartly, we lost dumbly imo. I mean, we stayed true to who we are. Until we have a consistent way to generate offence from the inside, we are going to be easy to beat.

TB beat us in 7 games with help from the refs all series. I won’t say we are easy to beat.
They were crowding the front of Vas all series and scored a few tip ins. I think they really need a shot from the point in the PP or at the very least not focus so much with AM. Don’t know why they don’t design PP plays for Willy to blast it on the left. Teams would die to have a opposite shots like AM and Willie on the PP but somehow Keefe wants to just have AM shooting.

 

[Stephen]

Yea, to simplify it... The reason other teams call us soft is because of the way we play... outside, hardly EVER going to the dirty areas. Bunting does... JT sometimes, or tries at least.

The perfect example was the 2nd Paul goal... our forwards take that to the outside, do a curl, pass to the D or rim it around. None of our core players ever try to take that inside there imo. And that is why the makeup of our core has to change.

Brodie hasn't been as good in Year 2. Makes a lot of soft little plays and decisions.

 

[ORRFForever]

Yea, to simplify it... The reason other teams call us soft is because of the way we play... outside, hardly EVER going to the dirty areas. Bunting does... JT sometimes, or tries at least.

The perfect example was the 2nd Paul goal... our forwards take that to the outside, do a curl, pass to the D or rim it around. None of our core players ever try to take that inside there imo. And that is why the makeup of our core has to change.

You may be right. There is something missing.

TBH, I liked JT's effort tonight - if Holl hadn't been an idiot, the game is tied.

We need ONE big game player. Marner and Matthews, as good as they are, are not that.

 

[wingman75]

Brodie hasn't been as good in Year 2. Makes a lot of soft little plays and decisions.

I agree. He was good in this series for the most part... odd bounce on that play, but he didn't play it hard enough. Like Rielly on the 1st goal too. he should have been all over Paul there.

 

[Aashir]

If the return is solid enough…I can be fine with parting with him

 

[wingman75]

You may be right. There is something missing.

TBH, I liked JT's effort tonight - if Holl hadn't been an idiot, the game is tied.

We need ONE big game player. Marner and Matthews, as good as they are, are not that.

I've never seen a shittier player ride on the advanced stats train like Holl. He is literally awful. He makes plays when he has time, and good ones, but under duress, complete meltdown every time. I hate that he is on our team. I honestly feel if he was never inserted into the lineup, we win the series.

As for the big game player, that does not have to be an 11mil guy either, just someone with some skill and size who goes to the dirty areas and stirrs up shit in dangerous areas rather than playing outside the faceoff dots.

JT was excellent in games 6 and 7. Nothing to complain about there imo.

 

[Stephen]

I've never seen a shittier player ride on the advanced stats train like Holl. He is literally awful. He makes plays when he has time, and good ones, but under duress, complete meltdown every time. I hate that he is on our team. I honestly feel if he was never inserted into the lineup, we win the series.

As for the big game player, that does not have to be an 11mil guy either, just someone with some skill and size who goes to the dirty areas and stirrs up shit in dangerous areas rather than playing outside the faceoff dots.

JT was excellent in games 6 and 7. Nothing to complain about there imo.

The Leafs over-rely on Justin Holl. It's not because he's particularly amazing but because he's 6'4" and can defend with wingspan in a way most of our Dmen can't while mixing in some average play everywhere else. Hopefully management understands the importance of these bigger defensemen (who can play).

 

[Glacious]

Brodie hasn't been as good in Year 2. Makes a lot of soft little plays and decisions.

He's also kinda useless in the o-zone. He's obviously a smart defender in terms of positioning/stick play but he can definitely be a bit soft. He played that second Paul goal quite poorly. Gotta play the body harder there.

 

[34]

Now is the time to trade Matthews. This has nothing to do with him not showing up in the postseason, it has everything to do with the fact that he 100% is leaving in two seasons from now when he is an unrestricted free agent.

The leafs are now going to be entering a rebuild mode, so try to get as many first round picks as you can for him. It is better than letting him walk for nothing in free agency. At least if you trade him now he has some term on his contract and it’s not just a rental. The time is now!

 

[keonsbitterness]

He had two late dump-ins that just seemed brain dead to me, maybe I was missing something.

I remember one. But he also set up a goal, and ripped a shot that probably would have been a goal on any other goalie in the league.

 

[Stephen]

He's also kinda useless in the o-zone. He's obviously a smart defender in terms of positioning/stick play but he can definitely be a bit soft. He played that second Paul goal quite poorly. Gotta play the body harder there.

I’m not sure I want to continue with Brodie. Not a bad defenseman at all but you kind of want a more special defenseman and his money could be upcycled for an upgrade. Especially with Muzzin declining and Liljegren and Sandin getting a little more mature.

 

[saffronleaf]

just a suggestion but how about more winning and less crying

 

[Mr Bill Waters]

"Game of inches" "We accomplished alot this year" its ok to cry in your pillow tonight Auston. You deserve a break and time off to lick you wounds and heal. Next year MVP. Next year.

 

[ORRFForever]

Now is the time to trade Matthews. This has nothing to do with him not showing up in the postseason, it has everything to do with the fact that he 100% is leaving in two seasons from now when he is an unrestricted free agent.

The leafs are now going to be entering a rebuild mode, so try to get as many first round picks as you can for him. It is better than letting him walk for nothing in free agency. At least if you trade him now he has some term on his contract and it’s not just a rental. The time is now!

It's worth considering.

Just finished watching the Oilers / Kings Game 7 finale. Anyone who thinks Matthews is anywhere near as good as McDavid, needs to watch that series and eat crow. Shameful comparison.

As for trading Matthews : If Gretzky can be traded, anyone can. The Leafs would certainly get a TON for him.

 

[supermann_98]

Can't wait til he signs his next contract at $15m per year and still hasn't brought the team to the 2nd round, should be fun

 

[TheRumble]

Hf Boards Maple Leafs subforum really contains the dumbest hockey fans on the Internet.