GDT: Leafs @ Sabres 7pm Dec 20th

[ULF_55]

This is so depressing, every year that we have a decent team he gets an injury that will derail his whole season.

It's been obvious he's hurt, people seem to think he's not trying (which is crazy) when the reality is he can't skate as well as he usually does. That first goal Dallas got last game was a clear example, a healthy Matthews makes that a much tougher shot for Steel to get off

I'm not against just Kucheroving him till the playoffs. The only issue is would that even get him to 100%, backs injuries are notoriously very difficult to manage

There is no reason to panic, but there is no reason to think this won't be recurring.

Management of the issue rather than correction of the issue?

 

[Aashir Mallik]

""

our superstar is broken

 

[ACC1224]

We're here for it.

For team success, and to maximize one of these extra goalies into another useful asset.


Timmins or Myers?

Couldn't make out a definitive answer from the X quote.

I assumed it was Timmins sitting because he hasn't played with Reilly while Myers has.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Not what I wanted, but hey, I am really curious to see Murray play. Let's see how it goes.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Hildeby will have his chance. This is exactly why we kept Murray around, two injury prone goalie tandem, he was insurance. Dude is only 30 too, not exactly a washed up old guy, just can't stay healthy. Good call, you don't want to over work Woll.

Matt Murray is also injury prone though.

I would have kept Jones.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I would have played Woll tonight I think the starter should generally get the divisional games.

There are exceptions of course like next week when you have Detroit and Washington back to Back Woll assuming he's healthy gets Washington.

But 95% of the time the #1 goalie should get the divisional games.

 

[ACC1224]

I would have played Woll tonight I think the starter should generally get the divisional games.

There are exceptions of course like next week when you have Detroit and Washington back to Back Woll assuming he's healthy gets Washington.

But 95% of the time the #1 goalie should get the divisional games.

Yeah, I'd do Woll tonight and Monday. Let Murray have the NYI at home tomorrow.

 

[Captain34]

Extremely concerned with Matthews' lingering injury. He is clearly a diminished player as a result (albeit a very good one still), but as others have mentioned, we need him at 100% to have a chance at a cup.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Extremely concerned with Matthews' lingering injury. He is clearly a diminished player as a result (albeit a very good one still), but as others have mentioned, we need him at 100% to have a chance at a cup.

Why is he playing? I don't get this situation at all. If he is not 100%, he needs to rest till he is.

 

[horner]

Extremely concerned with Matthews' lingering injury. He is clearly a diminished player as a result (albeit a very good one still), but as others have mentioned, we need him at 100% to have a chance at a cup.

Don't worry he is saving himself for the tournament.

 

[Sypher04]

I would have played Woll tonight I think the starter should generally get the divisional games.

There are exceptions of course like next week when you have Detroit and Washington back to Back Woll assuming he's healthy gets Washington.

But 95% of the time the #1 goalie should get the divisional games.

I think when the divisional team is one of the worst in the entire league that goes out the window a bit. Islanders are quite bad but still better team than Buffalo seemingly so I think this plan makes sense personally.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I think when the divisional team is one of the worst in the entire league that goes out the window a bit. Islanders are quite bad but still better team than Buffalo seemingly so I think this plan makes sense personally.

Yea, that's fine. I am not gonna quibble about it. Go Murray go! I hope he kills it.

 

[Zybalto]

Looking forward to how Murray looks in net tonight.

Gotta remember healthy Murray has been a pretty good goalie.

That first year he played for us, almost halfway through January he put up:

GP: 17
11-4-2
2.48
.919

...before he fell off a cliff, mainly due to injuries.

Seeing as he has tore it up in the AHL this season (.931 save% in 8 games), lets see if he found some of the old magic to at least get us to where Stolarz is ready to suit back up.

 

[leafsfan5]

Why is he playing? I don't get this situation at all. If he is not 100%, he needs to rest till he is.

They gave him a whole month off and nothing changed, I'm guessing it's something he will just have to deal with all season

 

[budzz]

Wouldn't it be something if he pitched a shutout and got a few more games and locked the doors? The board in here would explode with trade scenarios starting with "Since Murray is back..." lol

 

[leafsfan5]

There is no reason to panic, but there is no reason to think this won't be recurring.

Management of the issue rather than correction of the issue?

To be honest, I do think it's reason to panic. Our superstar C has recurring back injuries which have rendered him a shell of himself. We're not winning a thing with him not at 100%

 

[Confucius]

Looking forward to how Murray looks in net tonight.

Gotta remember healthy Murray has been a pretty good goalie.

That first year he played for us, almost halfway through January he put up:

GP: 17
11-4-2
2.48
.919

...before he fell off a cliff, mainly due to injuries.

Seeing as he has tore it up in the AHL this season (.931 save% in 8 games), lets see if he found some of the old magic to at least get us to where Stolarz is ready to suit back up.

If 2 of the 3 can stay healthy at the same time we are in great shape

 

[Leafs98]

stacking the line might be less about getting Matthews going and more about keeping his numbers up. we may not see beast mode this season :-(

 

[wingman75]

I had a goaltender travel to Germany for a groin issue and he came back a few months later, better than ever. Germany tend to have excellent specialists for Achilles and groins. Not sure about back issues.

My first thought was... maybe it's his 'Bachilles tendon' lol

My guess is rest isn't going to make the difference for 34 and that's why he's just playing through it. Seems like only surgery is going to be the only option to fix it, and I once again am going to guess, if he gets surgery now, he'll be done for the year.

Right. I feel what Matthews has learned is that he cannot make it worse by playing through it. It's up to him to determine how much pain he can play through. Whatever the specifics of his injury are, they are clearly hindering his physical abilities.

Which also makes me feel if he opted for surgery, he would most certainly miss the rest of the season and presumably the playoffs.

Not a doubt in my mind he is already scheduduled for off-season surgery and will not be ready for the start of next season.

Have to wonder if he actually ends up playing in the 4-Nations tournament. Would have to imagine the Leafs would prefer he does not.

Why is he playing? I don't get this situation at all. If he is not 100%, he needs to rest till he is.

Would imagine he cannot be 100% without surgery. Dilemma to be sure.

 

[Confucius]

My first thought was... maybe it's his 'Bachilles tendon' lol


Right. I feel what Matthews has learned is that he cannot make it worse by playing through it. It's up to him to determine how much pain he can play through. Whatever the specifics of his injury are, they are clearly hindering his physical abilities.

Which also makes me feel if he opted for surgery, he would most certainly miss the rest of the season and presumably the playoffs.

Not a doubt in my mind he is already scheduduled for off-season surgery and will not be ready for the start of next season.

Have to wonder if he actually ends up playing in the 4-Nations tournament. Would havfe to imagine the Leafs would prefer he does not.

Imagine if he goes on LTIR right after the tournament. Omg, lol

 

[HockeyVirus]

I would have played Woll tonight I think the starter should generally get the divisional games.

There are exceptions of course like next week when you have Detroit and Washington back to Back Woll assuming he's healthy gets Washington.

But 95% of the time the #1 goalie should get the divisional games.

I don't see the reward from starting Woll tonight. I've seen people say it is a test. Why do a test now, when we know our only other NHL goalie is 4+ weeks away? Just give him the extra day of rest and try to keep him healthy. You can up the workload as playoffs get closer to see who can handle it then.

 

[OVO16]

Matthews news isnt great. Im hoping he sits out the 4 nations face off. Would get some much needed break

 

[wingman75]

Imagine if he goes on LTIR right after the tournament. Omg, lol

If he plays that and then bails on the team he can eff off.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Matthews news isnt great. Im hoping he sits out the 4 nations face off. Would get some much needed break

What are you talking about?

 

[Cleetus]

Wouldn't it be something if he pitched a shutout and got a few more games and locked the doors? The board in here would explode with trade scenarios starting with "Since Murray is back..." lol

its pretty much why I Come here, I love the Chaos lol