Post-Game Talk: John Tavares is a Toronto Maple Leaf.

[ZEBROA]

That comment reminded me of the time Dave Schultz wanted to fight Tim Horton. Horton was 5'10" and 44 years old: Schultz was 6'1" and 24. As Tim was supposed to be the 'tough guy' on Buffalo, Dave has to challenge him. After about the third time, Tim got fed up. He picked Schultz up, dropped him to the ice, and sat on him until the ref ended it. Didn't throw a punch, although the fans were yelling for it.

I think hockey fights are delay of game. But that one i would have loved to see.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

John has never looked better as a Leaf.

Best part of the night was the boys all standing up for each other.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Good game and all. Matthews standing around while others fought his fight for him left a bit of a sour aftertaste though. They need to be physical and responsive as an entire team, like Tampa. When a scrum ensues, you always see all 5 guys engaged. It can’t just be Bunting/Gio or Simmonds when he’s in the lineup.

 

[SprDaVE]

John has never looked better as a Leaf.

Best part of the night was the boys all standing up for each other.

Hopefully he makes a lot of people eat crow.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Before we start the circle jerk, let's see what happens Saturday night. Bruins are an entirely different animal and if you think this game was greasy, wait til Marchand starts his shenanigans.

 

[Malachi Crunch]

I think the majority of us don't want Matthews to fight.....we want him to do something! Look at Rielly for a good example of what to do. A bearhug in the corner, a facewash, a shoving match. Hell, I would even take a frown and Matthews yelling at someone, telling them to "go back to the AHL" or something. The smile thing is not as "cool" as he probably thinks it it. It reminds me of when Chiarot ragdolled him. Bad look.

 

[Gary Nylund]

JT has been getting shit every year after his first one where he scored almost 50 and it's been completely undeserved. He's a model of consistency and his personal stats have not undervalued his contract even this far into it. Everyone in the league would have gladly signed on to that deal if they knew exactly the stats he'd put up to this point.

This. One of the dumbest narratives on this board over the last few years is how the Tavares signing doomed the team. Amazing how so many people can spout the same stupid narrative like mindless sheep.

Well, wasn't that my point? I never said he didn't play well?! 2nd goal cannot go it, otherwise he gave us what we need.

People really need to stop using the phrase "cannot go in". Every shot on net has a chance of going in, it's just that the odds of going in range from .00001% to 99.99999% but even the weakest shot can go in once in a blue moon on even the best goalie in the league. His overall performance was very good, that's more than enough and there's zero reason to even think about one softie.

 

[LeafsandSharksfan]

Overall 5-5 on play was much better and PK was outstanding. Tavares and Kampf continue to stand out. Samsonov outside the second goal was very good. Loved the physicality at the end, would love to see Matthews at least respond a little.

The defence still makes me nervous, we gave up several odd man rushes and Holl singlehandedly botched at least two strong scoring chances. A top 4 right handed D has to be Dubas's biggest priority.

Tough games coming up and they'll have to find even more hustle for those.

 

[Warden of the North]

It will forever drive me nuts that this team has to be shamed into action, but there can be no doubting that once they get going, they really move.

JT has the fire and the drive to be part of the solution here. I do not worry about the few million that he's overpaid, and I laugh when people call him a cap dump.

He's not overpayed.

He's a borderline PPG player and has been his entire career. His numbers haven't dropped off in the slightest and he's still a 1st line C. There were a lot of people suggesting that this point in the contract he would be struggling to be a top 6 player. He's still fully capable of centering a top line on a playoff team.

 

[ZEBROA]

How did the Swede line do?

 

[DueDiligence]

Hopefully he makes a lot of people eat crow.

One great game does not equate to $11 million per season.

 

[Warden of the North]

Before we start the circle jerk, let's see what happens Saturday night. Bruins are an entirely different animal and if you think this game was greasy, wait til Marchand starts his shenanigans.

This team plays to the level of its opponents more then any team in the league.

 

[Warden of the North]

One great game does not equate to $11 million per season.

His stat line is virtually the same his entire career. He's a PPG 1st line centre into his 30s, what more could you possible ask of him?

 

[ACC1224]

Matthews just isn't that player.
Nothing to do with being a star.

It isn't a good look though, especially with the complete lack of success the team has had with him being the best player.

Maybe not drop the gloves, but show some snarl ... time will tell.

Conn Smythe - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

His autobiography, Conn Smythe: If You Can't Beat 'Em in the Alley, written with Scott Young, was published posthumously in 1981. The title was taken from Smythe's credo, "If you can't beat 'em in the alley, you can't beat 'em on the ice."[101] In Smythe's memoir he describes it as the most misunderstood remark he ever made. Rather than meaning that his players should go out and bully the opposition, he meant the opposite; that his players should refuse to be bullied by the opposition.[101]

Simple face wash goes a long way.

 

[SprDaVE]

One great game does not equate to $11 million per season.

Yeah, it's almost like I didn't say that at all. But thanks.

 

[Mess]

His stat line is virtually the same his entire career. He's a PPG 1st line centre into his 30s, what more could you possible ask of him?

As captain lead the Leafs to at least 1 playoff round victory?

 

[Stephen]

That comment reminded me of the time Dave Schultz wanted to fight Tim Horton. Horton was 5'10" and 44 years old: Schultz was 6'1" and 24. As Tim was supposed to be the 'tough guy' on Buffalo, Dave has to challenge him. After about the third time, Tim got fed up. He picked Schultz up, dropped him to the ice, and sat on him until the ref ended it. Didn't throw a punch, although the fans were yelling for it.

Great story. Yeah, it’s kind of a standard non fight maneuver in a scrum situation when things are starting to boil over. You don’t actually need to throw punches, just impose yourself.

 

[Metroid]

I'm sure one of these days Matthews is gonna go super Saiyan on someone and leaf fans will be relieved... Yet everyone else will find a fault and media will twist it into a negative etc etc etc.
Go leafs!

Enjoyed reading this PGT as I missed the game.
Weekend B2B is gonna be an interesting one.... Kallgren vs the canes? *Gulp* lol

 

[ToneDog]

Good game and all. Matthews standing around while others fought his fight for him left a bit of a sour aftertaste though. They need to be physical and responsive as an entire team, like Tampa. When a scrum ensues, you always see all 5 guys engaged. It can’t just be Bunting/Gio or Simmonds when he’s in the lineup.

Yeah, Brian Lawton said the same thing on the radio a few minutes ago. Said Matthews does not seem as engaged this year as in previous years. Critiqued him on the first goal, and scrum for not getting engaged.

 

[egd27]

Exactly right. He doesn't have to throw haymakers, but he needs to at least engage and appear to give a shit that his team mates are risking their own injuries on his behalf. I hope he at least has the decency to pick up Gio and Bunting's tabs the next time they go out,

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Folks Matty is back in full form and shape .. bottom line to those of us at game who witnessed it wow .. Matty did what Matty did regularly last year .. Matty tilted ice for us virtually every shift he played .. when he is at his full speed he is a joy to watch as BY FAR best player on ice for either team last night and it was not even remotely close .. like I said once he was back in game shape he is a monster out there

Shout out to JT .. hand eye skills are off da chart .. have not seen it in a few years but at least we know again he still has it in him .. his ability to move in small areas of ice with virtually no speed are incredible .. what a set of hands wow .. that deke wow wow wow wow .. keep getting those points JT and it works (but need to see more of those finishes at even strength)

Also 2 shout outs to Mete and Gio 2 more local kids .. Mete best pro game I have ever seen him play wow .. Gio dude you just got it man .. clearly leader of that D core now

and Sammy wow that 10 beller to start 3rd was sensational .. those are game changing saves and we need them .. thank you

Yeah, Brian Lawton said the same thing on the radio a few minutes ago. Said Matthews does not seem as engaged this year as in previous years. Critiqued him on the first goal, and scrum for not getting engaged.

Clearly he was not in building last night .. must be talking about games 1 - 9 where he was out of shape .. Ducks game he showed some game and last night he was BY FAR best player on da ice .. don't get fooled by POINTS .. i am talking about controlling da game

 

[fahad203]

What I liked about Tavares goal was the effort
We score a lot of nice goals but never skill with effort

That was all skill and all effort. Loved it

I remember few years ago he did the same thing against Coultier/Flyers

I want see Mattews taking on D a bit more. But it's hard to tell a 60 goal scorer what to do

 

[Mess]

JT to the rescue.

That 2nd goal was a beauty !!! 3rd a bit of a gift with a goalie without a blade.

Leafs needed the win.

 

[Burnie97]

Overall 5-5 on play was much better and PK was outstanding. Tavares and Kampf continue to stand out. Samsonov outside the second goal was very good. Loved the physicality at the end, would love to see Matthews at least respond a little.

The defence still makes me nervous, we gave up several odd man rushes and Holl singlehandedly botched at least two strong scoring chances. A top 4 right handed D has to be Dubas's biggest priority.

Tough games coming up and they'll have to find even more hustle for those.

Hasn't a top 4 rd been top of the agenda forever...

 

[SprDaVE]

Exactly right. He doesn't have to throw haymakers, but he needs to at least engage and appear to give a shit that his team mates are risking their own injuries on his behalf. I hope he at least has the decency to pick up Gio and Bunting's tabs the next time they go out,

"He doesn't have to throw haymakers" ... that's what he did? He gave it back without haymakers. He even went back to him and gave him a big shot. Seemed engaged in some way to me, but I think you really wanted him to drop the gloves and throw haymakers.

Bunting knows his role and he knows what Matthews role is. This is what team camaraderie is. Sounds like people are running out of things to complain about to me.