Is Matthews the worst playoff performer ever?

[Erik Alfredsson]

He's definitely one of the worst of all time, maybe the worst considering his skill level and how Toronto is supposed to be a good team.

Imo this seriously effects his HOF case. Yeah he's had some impressive regular seasons and his goal scoring numbers are among the best. But how can you induct someone when they turn into a mouse every year come playoff time?

 

[PuckG]

I don’t have a horse in this race and really do not care who of the two is the better PO performer. Starting this conversation from a Oilers perspective after Draisaitls non show against the very same Team in the SC finals is as dumb in my eyes… in fact besides McDavid this Cats team did shut down every superstar they faced the last two years.

The first question is why make such a moronic argument when you have no horse in this race.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Lol. Where was Draisaitl against the same Cats in the SC finals last year?

He had a broken rib and finger from the Vancouver series.

Career Playoffs
Draisaitl 85GP 46G 78A 128P +18 1.51PPG
Matthews 68GP 26G 33A 59P +2 0.87PPG

It’s not even comparable.

 

[Dabeast]

He's not even the worst playoff performer on his line

 

[GlitchMarner]

Thing is, Kessel scored goals in the playoffs. He had a shot which worked the same in the playoffs as in regular season. Marner's skills as shown in the regular season have not carried over into the playoffs.

I mean, maybe you're saying as a 2nd/3rd line winger Marner can be effective. Perhaps that's true. But that requires a pay cut.

On a team with good leaderships and clear top dogs, I can think that maybe Marner can come in and help the team get to the next level.

He wouldn't have to be a leader or one of the faces of the team. He does have skills that can be useful. I do think his play-driving abilities, skating and puck skills have declined as he's gotten older.

I wouldn't pay him more than $12 mil per. I don't think he's going to be willing to take a pay cut. He'll want a raise.


Matthews is their highest paid player and under contract for a while longer. It's supposed to be his team (whether he's the kind of guy who can handle that burden or not). TBH, I wouldn't be against exploring trading him, but I wouldn't dump him just for the sake of doing so. He's still a valuable asset. They definitely have to move on from the M and M thing, though.

 

[Austerlitz]

This is exactly why everyone wants to see Dallas absolutely f***ing crush the Oilers

Because

I am seriously hoping that Dallas absolutely rolls the Oilers over.

You're mad because you're a homer who wants to insist your favorite player is better than he is and now you're throwing a tantrum because you were called on it?

 

[ManWithNoName]

The 13 million front seat passenger complains that there are too many passengers on his bus. What an absolute moron.

Worst playoff performer and worst captain. The Leafs ain’t winning shit as long as he’s playing there. An total fraud with no accountability whatsoever.

 

[Mr Positive]

Worst in the performance to talent ratio. With his ability and style of play, he should be like Barkov but better. He's just... not. Maybe this loss will truly shake the Leafs and a new mix does something for him

 

[sampollock]

On a team with good leaderships and clear top dogs, I can think that maybe Marner can come in and help the team get to the next level.

He wouldn't have to be a leader or one of the faces of the team. He does have skills that can be useful. I do think his play-driving abilities, skating and puck skills have declined as he's gotten older.

I wouldn't pay him more than $12 mil per. I don't think he's going to be willing to take a pay cut. He'll want a raise.


Matthews is their highest paid player and under contract for a while longer. It's supposed to be his team (whether he's the kind of guy who can handle that burden or not). TBH, I wouldn't be against exploring trading him, but I wouldn't dump him just for the sake of doing so. He's still a valuable asset. They definitely have to move on from the M and M thing, though.

oh nostils is a asset al right down right bust
which is good, shanny keep him as your Capt

 

[CycloneSweep]

This is exactly why everyone wants to see Dallas absolutely f***ing crush the Oilers

You do realize most of the people in here shitting on Matthews aren’t Oilers fans right?

 

[BeranekAndNeck]

This is exactly why everyone wants to see Dallas absolutely f***ing crush the Oilers

It’s weird how you keep bringing up a Conference Finalist and recent Cup runner up in the Auston Matthews thread. Has he led his team to either of those rounds and we all missed it?

 

[Sasha Orlov]

He is better than every player on your subpar team. No player on your team will ever win the awards or trophies or score the amount of goals he has.

Carry on though.

Weird, Caufield hasn’t played in almost a month and Matthews only just caught up to him in goals lmfao

 

[hockey20000]

He's definitely one of the worst of all time, maybe the worst considering his skill level and how Toronto is supposed to be a good team.

Imo this seriously effects his HOF case. Yeah he's had some impressive regular seasons and his goal scoring numbers are among the best. But how can you induct someone when they turn into a mouse every year come playoff time?

the guy will have over 600 goals if not close to 700.. and probs 1100 points hes goingin the hof weather he sucks in playoffs or not lol

 

[EpochLink]

Auston Matthews is going the way of Vince Carter, the excuse train is seriously running off the rails.

 

[sampollock]

Auston Matthews is going the way of Vince Carter, the excuse train is seriously running off the rails.

best part the fig fans believe this clown too
I suggest every fan go today and buy a 34 jersey

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I've only just seen the Tavares press questions and it speaks volumes. He was asked about the "Too many passengers" comment and his response was (something like) "We all need to take responsibility individually and as a group", which is what a captain's response should be.

After a game like that I think a captain's response should be: "I wasn't good enough. I'm the captain and I'm supposed to lead. I didn't do that tonight."

 

[Edmonton East]

I cant think of a worse example of a skater whose play so consistently drops off every playoffs and I’ve been watching hockey for 30 years.

This guy is supposed to be a superstar and has a C on his jersey now and it’s the same old. 60 goal man in the regular season, 30 goal pace in the playoffs at best. He wasn’t good at 4 nations either.

It’s time to stop making excuses for this guy IMO.

How do Leaf fans and the beloved Toronto media keep piling on Matthews while completely absolving Tavares at the same time??? Let's play a game. Who would you rather have, playoff stats:

Tavares: 51GP, 17G, 14A, 31Pts (with PP time), -15!, strong at dot
Matthews: 68GP, 26G, 33A, 59Pts, +2, strong at dot

And that's while generally getting the easier offensive matchup since most teams primarily focused on shutting down Matthews' line. Sure, some of the Matthews criticism is more than fair, but idk how golden boy Tavares continues to get a pass.

 

[NVious]

How do Leaf fans and the beloved Toronto media keep piling on Matthews while completely absolving Tavares at the same time??? Let's play a game. Who would you rather have, playoff stats:

Tavares: 51GP, 17G, 14A, 31Pts (with PP time), -15!, strong at dot
Matthews: 68GP, 26G, 33A, 59Pts, +2, strong at dot

And that's while generally getting the easier offensive matchup since most teams primarily focused on shutting down Matthews' line. Sure, some of the Matthews criticism is more than fair, but idk how golden boy Tavares continues to get a pass.

They all suck (to a lesser extent Nylander).

People outside of Toronto keep bouncing Tavares/Marner/Matthews as "OMG HOW CAN THEY BLAME ONE GUY???"

They're all getting and have been getting a ton of the blame for the entire time.

 

[Cup Or Bust]

His playoff performances have not been good enough by your team's best player if you want to compete for the Cup.

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

the guy will have over 600 goals if not close to 700.. and probs 1100 points hes goingin the hof weather he sucks in playoffs or not lol

I doubt it. All he will be remembered for is how bad of a player he turned into when it matters. Playoffs is where legends are born in hockey.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

Yes, he is pants down Hands I mean.

 

[Edmonton East]

They all suck (to a lesser extent Nylander).

People outside of Toronto keep bouncing Tavares/Marner/Matthews as "OMG HOW CAN THEY BLAME ONE GUY???"

They're all getting and have been getting a ton of the blame for the entire time.

Sure, but Tavares has been particularly awful out of the core 4, yet seems to get the least blame over the years. Why?

 

[Stephen]

The kind of reputational and performance decline Matthews is experiencing in 2024-25 might be one of the biggest flame outs in recent memory. Just a staggering fall from grace from when he was buzzing around trying to hit goal 70. Hard to see him get back to a normal top 10 player footing with those vague injuries floating around his personage.

 

[MikeK]

Considering his skill level and status, he's without question one of the worst. He doesn't have that extra gear needed to be a playoff performer. This has been going on for a decade now. He is what he is. Anyone saying otherwise are just flat out wrong. Toronto are never going to win a championship with Matthews as their key guy. He completely disappears in the playoffs and when the player you build around does that there is no chance for the team.

 

[NVious]

Sure, but Tavares has been particularly awful out of the core 4, yet seems to get the least blame over the years. Why?

He gets plenty of blame, but there is a sense of realism about it, he came at the tail end of his prime (forwards peak in mid 20s, he came at 28) and he's old now.

Matthews/Marner failed their entire primes on star studded teams.