Post-Game Talk: Leafs smoke Flames 6-2

[francis246]

All I’m going to say is, an injured AM34 is still going to pace 40g per season. That is insane. But some on this board claim he is worthless and we should get rid of him. Even more insane.

I don’t think we should get rid of AM34, but he needs to bring a better and more consistent effort night in and night out. He’s not even close to the player who was hungry for the puck during COVID or even last season.

If he can’t shoot, he needs to be a distributor as a center and start passing the puck and creating chances for his linemates. To me that’s what makes him a tier below Crosby, McDavid, Draisaitl, MacKinnon, Barkov, ect, those guys drive play and create for their lines & can distribute just as good as create they can create their own chances. As a center Matthews could be doing more in terms of that.

 

[arso40]

I don’t think we should get rid of AM34, but he needs to bring a better and more consistent effort night in and night out. He’s not even close to the player who was hungry for the puck during COVID or even last season.

If he can’t shoot, he needs to be a distributor as a center and start passing the puck and creating chances for his linemates. To me that’s what makes him a tier below Crosby, McDavid, Draisaitl, MacKinnon, Barkov, ect, those guys drive play and create for their lines & can distribute just as good as create they can create their own chances. As a center Matthews could be doing more in terms of that.

Pass to who though ?

 

[Martin Skoula]

Matthews injury can be narrowed down whatever part of the body is most stressed on a vicious one-timer. He just wont fire it. Guessing back and the twisting motion.

His wrists seem fine when he’s set in a stable forward facing stance. The curl and drag through the skates is gone, the back and forth pivot on the boards is gone, the Gilmour pivot and tuck behind the net is gone, he went for treatment in Germany where their soft tissue/stem cell treatment is the main sports surgery ahead of something he could do in NA. Even the hits he throws are abnormally stiff thumps that come purely off previous skating momentum with no last second pop or adjustment to them. It’s so obviously his back or some other niche core issue that it’s weird anyone is still pretending like it’s an unknown mystery problem or just laziness.

 

[Evilhomer]

It seems you can’t understand why this fanbase reacts the way they do. Since you ignored my last comment how many rounds have they won in 8 years with the same core players?

The leafs have not had this combination of goaltending, defense and coaching in the last 8 years.

 

[Jozay]

Needed a W like this

 

[Ianturnedbull]

I am elite Irish

 

[crump]

His wrists seem fine when he’s set in a stable forward facing stance. The curl and drag through the skates is gone, the back and forth pivot on the boards is gone, the Gilmour pivot and tuck behind the net is gone, he went for treatment in Germany where their soft tissue/stem cell treatment is the main sports surgery ahead of something he could do in NA. It’s so obviously his back or some other niche core issue that it’s weird anyone is still pretending like it’s an unknown mystery problem or just laziness.

This. Obviously he’s limited by something. He labours at the end of shifts. Poor guy scored 2 goals on great shots, but he’s losing board battles he used to win easily. He’s sweating like crazy, so he’s trying to play through it. I’m glad he scored because it shows he still has a shot, even if it’s flat footed, he has the power and is still a weapon on the PP and his playmaking and brain haven’t gone away, some great defensive shifts tonight as well. We are in tough without him 100% though.

 

[arso40]

This. Obviously he’s limited by something. He labours at the end of shifts. Poor guy scored 2 goals on great shots, but he’s losing board battles he used to win easily. He’s sweating like crazy, so he’s trying to play through it. I’m glad he scored because it shows he still has a shot, even if it’s flat footed, he has the power and is still a weapon on the PP and his playmaking and brain haven’t gone away, some great defensive shifts tonight as well. We are in tough without him 100% though.

I admire him and how he’s going about it Hes not complaining or leading on Hes injured not sure why he’s getting trashed on the board sometimes

 

[Martin Skoula]

This. Obviously he’s limited by something. He labours at the end of shifts. Poor guy scored 2 goals on great shots, but he’s losing board battles he used to win easily. He’s sweating like crazy, so he’s trying to play through it. I’m glad he scored because it shows he still has a shot, even if it’s flat footed, he has the power and is still a weapon on the PP and his playmaking and brain haven’t gone away, some great defensive shifts tonight as well. We are in tough without him 100% though.

I don’t think complaining about him is that unreasonable, it’s nice that he can play solid D and contribute at a level of a prime Getzlaf when he’s off but it’s not enough to carry the team. I’m mostly just confused about the “he’s not trying enough” or “if he’s so hurt he should sit” crowd. It’s clearly an injury that you can play at average 1C level with but the difference between that and a Rocket + Selke threat is pretty obviously not an effort issue. Hopefully it’s something that can be fixed longterm in the offseason.

 

[IPS]

I don’t think we should get rid of AM34, but he needs to bring a better and more consistent effort night in and night out. He’s not even close to the player who was hungry for the puck during COVID or even last season.

If he can’t shoot, he needs to be a distributor as a center and start passing the puck and creating chances for his linemates. To me that’s what makes him a tier below Crosby, McDavid, Draisaitl, MacKinnon, Barkov, ect, those guys drive play and create for their lines & can distribute just as good as create they can create their own chances. As a center Matthews could be doing more in terms of that.

He's just injured. Stop being a hater.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

 

[notDatsyuk]

After the way M&M were stinking up the PK last game it was nice to see the workman-like job tonight. Lorentz, Jarnkrok, Knies, and Laughton played well.

I think Willy's problem may be that he thinks the game so fast that his teammates often aren't aware he's passing until they've missed it. Except for Matty and Knies - those PP goals were things of beauty.

That would be the killer line - Knies-Matthews-Nylander.

 

[TopCheeseShotta]

I think Willy's problem may be that he thinks the game so fast that his teammates often aren't aware he's passing until they've missed it.

F'real... Willy is soooo good and Pontus coulda had a couple again tonite. Holmby could have 300 goals this year if they played them together all year, but someone would have to teach him where the net is, and what the point of hockey is.

 

[arso40]

After the way M&M were stinking up the PK last game it was nice to see the workman-like job tonight. Lorentz, Jarnkrok, Knies, and Laughton played well.

I think Willy's problem may be that he thinks the game so fast that his teammates often aren't aware he's passing until they've missed it. Except for Matty and Knies - those PP goals were things of beauty.

That would be the killer line - Knies-Matthews-Nylander.

It was parts of last year big boy hoccey I’m seeing a little mean streak from Willy too love it

 

[notDatsyuk]

Willy with 16 points (leading the team) since the 4Nations and 12 (leading the team) in March.

And for those who complain he hasn't been getting assists this year, he's tied for 4th (one behind the leaders) in assists in March, along with being tied for 3rd (one behind the leaders) in points.

(Despite Holmberg and JT missing on a few more tonight.)

 

[TopCheeseShotta]

Domi / Robertson / McMann looking good again. It's been a minute, but nice to see. They were flying

 

[arso40]

Willy with 16 points (leading the team) since the 4Nations and 12 (leading the team) in March.

And for those who complain he hasn't been getting assists this year, he's tied for 4th (one behind the leaders) in assists in March, along with being tied for 3rd (one behind the leaders) in points.

(Despite Holmberg and JT missing on a few more tonight.)

Willy with 16 points (leading the team) since the 4Nations and 12 (leading the team) in March.

And for those who complain he hasn't been getting assists this year, he's tied for 4th (one behind the leaders) in assists in March, along with being tied for 3rd (one behind the leaders) in points.

(Despite Holmberg and JT missing on a few more tonight.)

We need em all going right now heading into the post season

 

[francis246]

He's just injured. Stop being a hater.

LOL I’ve felt this way about Matthews since day 1. He’s never been in the same class as of those guys and it’s a valid criticism, he doesn’t drive play like the other guys at all and as a center you need to be able to do that consistently. He’s shown flashes of it, but he never does it on a consistent basis and that’s truth even when he’s healthy.

 

[arso40]

LOL I’ve felt this way about Matthews since day 1. He’s never been in the same class as of those guys and it’s a valid criticism, he doesn’t drive play like the other guys at all and as a center you need to be able to do that consistently. He’s shown flashes of it, but he never does it on a consistent basis and that’s truth even when he’s healthy.

When’s the last time he we healthy though?

 

[francis246]

After the way M&M were stinking up the PK last game it was nice to see the workman-like job tonight. Lorentz, Jarnkrok, Knies, and Laughton played well.

I think Willy's problem may be that he thinks the game so fast that his teammates often aren't aware he's passing until they've missed it. Except for Matty and Knies - those PP goals were things of beauty.

That would be the killer line - Knies-Matthews-Nylander.

We’ve tried that line and it doesn’t work 5 on 5. Willie’s game has evolved so much and it just doesn’t mesh with Matthews game anymore 5 on 5. Both need the puck, both like to create their own shots. You’re wasting one or the other every shift by having them together 5 on 5, it’s not like their line is going to cycle. Both love scoring off the rush and carrying the puck into the zone to create their shots. It’s not really a fit, and do we really want Willy to start passing up shooting opportunities to distribute to Matthews?

 

[francis246]

When’s the last time he we healthy though?

Is that not a part of the problem? This season he’s definitely been injured but in previous seasons when he’s been healthy he still leaves you wanting just a bit more IMO as a top paid center. Im not saying he’s a bad player. But I would like to see him evolve into a more complete center who can distribute and create for his linemates and not just wait for the puck to be delivered to him. I’m pointing out that it’s the difference I see between McDavid, MacKinnon, Barkov, Draisaitl and him.

And he seemed pretty healthy last year prior to getting hurt before the playoffs.

 

[arso40]

Is that not a part of the problem? This season he’s definitely been injured but in previous seasons when he’s been healthy he still leaves you wanting just a bit more IMO as a top paid center. Im not saying he’s a bad player. But I would like to see him evolve into a more complete center who can distribute and create for his linemates and not just wait for the puck to be delivered to him. I’m pointing out that it’s the difference I see between McDavid, MacKinnon, Barkov, Draisaitl and him.

And he seemed pretty healthy last year prior to getting hurt before the playoffs.

So then he wasn’t healthy lol

 

[francis246]

So then he wasn’t healthy lol

He got injured in like game 80, 81 or 82 I believe it was. It was like the last 3 games, he was not playing last year with a wrist injury as he got it dealt with in the summer remember?

Edit* went back and actually checked,

Came to camp healthy. Had a minor injury during training camp, was fine the whole year, was sick to start the playoffs, then got injured in game 5, while playing sick. So he seemed to be healthy all of last year.

 

[arso40]

He got injured in like game 80, 81 or 82 I believe it was. It was like the last 3 games, he was not playing last year with a wrist injury as he got it dealt with in the summer remember?

Not to this magnitude no but he’s always having wrist issues but yeah your right

 

[Antropovsky]

Yep... I noticed awhile back that Marner has added hugging the mascot to his list of after win routines:

Add that too his other requirements
- He needs to be the last player to hug the goalie after wins
- He needs to be the last player off the ice
- he needs to be last player on the ice.

Imagine playing with this guy?

Anything for as much as attention as possible. Subban vibes. Cant just be one of the guys.

So many "superstitions", but somehow offseason training doesnt make the list. Loves attention but cant take criticism.