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Injury Report: Matthews day to day

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Jojalu said:
Home ice is overblown.

10 of the 15 series last year was won by theteam that fidn't have home ice. The Leafs have lost just as easily with home ice the past two years as they did on the toad the previous three.

If they can't win 1 out the 5 last games then I don't like that mojo going into the playoffs and it probably won't matter.
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I find that when people get into the weeds of down-rating the importance of any x, y, z advantage that’s taken as an obvious, it’s a “loser’s race” and can be a sign of trouble to come.

Individual trophies, scoring races, conference and division titles and home ice advantage are all just little steps and sign posts that you’re entering the playoffs with momentum and flying at a high level. Sure, they don’t mean much individually - but conceding all these little wins and expecting they can flip a switch and win 16 post season games? I don’t think that’s a competitive and healthy outlook.

Also not loving the tendency of Leaf talking points to want to weasel around looking for soft playoff routes. There are none. If the Leafs want to be champions they need to go through 4x tough opponents and that’s all there is to it.
 
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Auston… Coach, I tweeked something and should probably sit for a few before it gets worse.
Keefe… what about the Rocket and 60 goals?

AM34… f*** it, we’re trying to win Lord Stanley’s Cup here.
 
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Stephen said:
I find that when people get into the weeds of down-rating the importance of any x, y, z advantage that’s taken as an obvious, it’s a “loser’s race” and can be a sign of trouble to come.

Individual trophies, scoring races, conference and division titles and home ice advantage are all just little steps and sign posts that you’re entering the playoffs with momentum and flying at a high level. Sure, they don’t mean much individually - but conceding all these little wins and expecting they can flip a switch and win 16 post season games? I don’t think that’s a competitive and healthy outlook.

Also not loving the tendency of Leaf talking points to want to weasel around looking for soft playoff routes. There are none. If the Leafs want to be champions they need to go through 4x tough opponents and that’s all there is to it.
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I agree 100%.

I don't sweat blowout losses or celebrate blowout wins because they are usually just outliers. I have been thrilled with the Leafs this season and their seemingly new ability to add some fire to their game.

I would love to see them beat TB/Fla and Bos somehow before beating a Western foe.

Leave no doubt.
 
Has the potential of losing the 2nd seed changed the calculation on playing Auston earlier than they might have otherwise?

We'll never know if they would've played him in Florida had they clinched in Tampa, but if they weren't going to play him, will they alter course and play him now?

Or, will they wait and see what happens after the next two games and Tampa's next two before they make a move with him?

At some point, his health for the playoffs and playing for the 2nd seed may intersect. What do they do then?

Will the Leafs prioritize playing Auston at expense of his playoff health if they think they're going to lose the 2nd seed, if he doesn't play? Which one is more important to the org?
 
WillyC said:
Auston… Coach, I tweeked something and should probably sit for a few before it gets worse.
Keefe… what about the Rocket and 60 goals?

AM34… f*** it, we’re trying to win Lord Stanley’s Cup here.
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And then he starts giving Marner a romantic back massage.
 
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riffle said:
Has the potential of losing the 2nd seed changed the calculation on playing Auston earlier than they might have otherwise?

We'll never know if they would've played him in Florida had they clinched in Tampa, but if they weren't going to play him, will they alter course and play him now?

Or, will they wait and see what happens after the next two games and Tampa's next two before they make a move with him?

At some point, his health for the playoffs and playing for the 2nd seed may intersect. What do they do then?

Will the Leafs prioritize playing Auston at expense of his playoff health if they think they're going to lose the 2nd seed, if he doesn't play? Which one is more important to the org?
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The way they managed the Tampa game annoys me like crazy in hindsight. 4 point division game vs your likely opponents. Sink them, and you basically lock up home ice and put Tampa in a dog fight against Boston. And yet:

1) They put their worst foot forward and hold out their best player and start a backup goalie.

or

2) Are down a Hart Trophy candidate, and a starting goalie and the Leafs just mail it in after the first period. "No biggie, Tampa wanted this more." Now they risk having to activate Matthews earlier if he's not 100%.

It's like they took a fairly simple situation, made the worst roster decision possible and then decided to coast vs the twice defending champs on the road.
 
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Stephen said:
The way they managed the Tampa game annoys me like crazy in hindsight. 4 point division game vs your likely opponents. Sink them, and you basically lock up home ice and put Tampa in a dog fight against Boston. And yet:

1) They put their worst foot forward and hold out their best player and start a backup goalie.

or

2) Are down a Hart Trophy candidate, and a starting goalie and the Leafs just mail it in after the first period. "No biggie, Tampa wanted this more." Now they risk having to activate Matthews earlier if he's not 100%.

It's like they took a fairly simple situation, made the worst roster decision possible and then decided to coast vs the twice defending champs on the road.
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Plus the fact that Tampa has been in a bad slump lately too.

May as well just give them a confidence kickstarter too by letting them smoke us by a touchdown. Not like we're facing them in the playoffs in 2 weeks or anything.
 
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saffronleaf said:
highly doubt it
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I hope Auston does play. Keefe isn't going to keep trotting out there to keep up the ruse, if that is what this is.

Either Auston plays, or Keefe has to make a longer term statement on what's happening with him. Something like: The injury is not responding the way we expected so we're going to shut him down for the remainder of the regular season to give him the best chance to be healthy for May.

Can you honestly see him addressing this as he has been with these "he's almost ready" awkward and uncomfortable updates?

If he isn't playing tomorrow, I wouldn't be surprised to see something from Leafs PR regarding his status going forward to take it out of Keefe's hands. PR is not Keefe's thing.
 
AuraSphere said:
Why? Such an absurd comment. Keefe has said that if this was a playoff game, Matthews would be playing - but because these games don't matter, rather just rest him.

Probably just bruised up
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Do you not remember last years playoffs when Bergeron played with 1 lung and Hyman played with 1 leg? Lol. So what if Keefe said that? That means nothing.
 
Isaac Nootin said:
There's still 5 games left in the regular season, the Leafs (and Matthews) will be fine.
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I have heard this song and dance before. I don’t believe it.

What’s that old adage “Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me”?
 
newsign.php
 
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Suntouchable13 said:
Makes you wonder still what was really going on. Is this something chronic? Something was bothering him and we don't know what is.
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His play tonight will be telling but somehow I don’t think it’s a huge issue or he wouldn’t be playing risking injury before the playoffs
 
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