Matthews with 0 goals in the tournament

[The Podium]

Pretty clear blown coverage by Matthews

I just said he played great, it’s never enough for you guys lmao

Fox lost his man, instead of sliding into the slot to recover he took the long way around the net. Matthews decides to pressure Marner in the corner who had way too much time and space thinking his Dman would cover his man in the slot. But because Fox decided to go around the net they both end up in the corner leaving McDavid wide open.

It’s more on Fox than Matthews although both are responsible. Matthews could have, and maybe should have, played it safe and protected the threat from the slot. However based on system and structured hockey Matthews actually made the right play. McDavid pretty much says it himself.

 

[Divine]

Why do leafs fans defend a guy that's done nothing for them his whole tenure there , it's funny because American fans don't defend this guy either since they aren't biased

They should leave him off the team for Cole Caufield.

 

[Peiskos]

Why do leafs fans defend a guy that's done nothing for them his whole tenure there , it's funny because American fans don't defend this guy either since they aren't biased

Probably the same reason why you'd likely defend Matthews if he was the captain of the Habs. You roll with your guy.

 

[TonsofPuppies]

Post-Game Talk: Post in thread 'Leafs lose to Canucks 3-0'

Jan 11, 2025

To many useless players in the top 6 taking all the cap space and producing nothing.

The good news is that Canada is a lock to win the 4 Nations next month. Everyone is worried about Team USA but I'm not at all concerned about any team with Matthews as one of its leaders. Has never won a thing in his career and isn't about to start now.

• TonsofPuppies

• 

 

[thefutures]

Without him canada wins both games and the final in lopsided fashion

 

[Ianturnedbull]

A lot of soggy tea bags here today.

Why don't you focus on how you didn't win as opposed to who can we blame for losing.

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

To be fair he played pretty well, was good on the forecheck, created the Tkachuck goal with the wrap around attempt, was difficult to contain.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Why do leafs fans defend a guy that's done nothing for them his whole tenure there , it's funny because American fans don't defend this guy either since they aren't biased

Stockholm syndrome

 

[BHD]

Jack Hughes was a non-factor as well. Honestly, Guentzel and the Tkachuks were the only American forwards who stood out to me.

 

[dirtydanglez]

Jack Hughes was a non-factor as well. Honestly, Guentzel and the Tkachuks were the only American forwards who stood out to me.

eichel was good

 

[Voight]

He's not healthy. This guy was in Germany getting treatment not too long ago. They've moved him to the front of the net and the point on the Leafs PP because he won't/can't shoot. He was held out of USA's last game due to his 'upper body injury'.

Probably should have sat out this tournament but he was still probably the best forwards on the US in the final.

100%. If the season ended today, his 12.4 SH% would be the second worst of his career (2023, he shot 12.2% and that was another year where he was injured and never got healthy)

 

[authentic]

The best goal scorer in the world had 0 goals in the 3 games he played. I was very surprised to hear this but he was good defensively.

Matthews hasn’t been scoring many goals all year (more than 99.9% of NHLers but for his standards anyway). He was the states best player last night and Binnington saved the day for us or else Matthews would be seen as a hero right now.

His inability to show up when it matters can't be ignored in my opinion. I didn't love him getting the C, but I'm also not in the room so I simply am not qualified to have input...

I think it's absolutely worrisome he's never won a game 7 and lost again tonight. That said he has the skill, and a few good shots in a playoff run changes everything. He's got time to prove it's just been bad luck so far.

lol he was their best player last night, just as he has been in many of the important playoff games for the Leafs. Some people have no idea how good he is and cling onto these false narratives.

 

[authentic]

Jack Hughes was a non-factor as well. Honestly, Guentzel and the Tkachuks were the only American forwards who stood out to me.

If you thought Matthews and Hughes were comparable then

 

[AvroArrow]

Canada won because its best star players produced, MacKinnon was lights out this tournament with 4 goals, McDavid of course with 3. Marner was quite productive too.

There was absolutely nothing from Matthews, Eichel and company.

He literally set up both USA goals, did you watch the game ?

Big mistake in OT leaving the slot, and of all people McDavid alone in front of the net. I think he got too caught up in the moment going after Marner. He bodied Marner a couple times last night and they were going at each other, think he just got caught up in the emotion, resulting in the gwg against.

But to say there was nothing from Matthews is LOL. Not only did he set up the 2 goals for USA, he had 2 prime scoring chances that Binnington absolutely robbed him on. Overall he played a great game but man that mistake in OT is rough.

 

[authentic]

To be fair he played pretty well, was good on the forecheck, created the Tkachuck goal with the wrap around attempt, was difficult to contain.

And Binnington did the best Patrick Roy impression ever seen or else Matthews ends up with the game winner

 

[Sasha Orlov]

He literally set up both USA goals, did you watch the game ?

Big mistake in OT leaving the slot, and of all people McDavid alone in front of the net. I think he got too caught up in the moment going after Marner. He bodied Marner a couple times last night and they were going at each other, think he just got caught up in the emotion, resulting in the gwg against.

But to say there was nothing from Matthews is LOL. Not only did he set up the 2 goals for USA, he had 2 prime scoring chances that Binnington absolutely robbed him on. Overall he played a great game but man that mistake in OT is rough.

Accurate and correct post from a poster that many Leafs fans should model themselves after

 

[CN8]

And without him they lose 2-0 in regulation? He assisted both US goals and was a +1 (team leading) in the game.

Ya I’ll give you that. I hate it with McDavid when people show one play and say “see how bad he sucks defensively”
Name me a player and I could find a highlight of him blowing an assignment

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

Matthews was very good, set up USA’s 2 goals, replaced Eichel on the Tkachuck brothers line which was USA’s best line, unfairly gets hated on.

USA best 6 forwards:

1. B. Tkachuck
2. J. Guentzel
3. M. Tkachuck
4. A. Matthews
5. J. Eichel
6. JT Miller

Lot of other forwards like J. Hughes & Trochek deserve criticism but not Matthews (except on the OT goal).

 

[Dolemite]

The best goal scorer in the world had 0 goals in the 3 games he played. I was very surprised to hear this but he was good defensively.

He’s a role player on the squad. It amazes me how people don’t get that.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

Marner or Matthews?

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Fox lost his man, instead of sliding into the slot to recover he took the long way around the net. Matthews decides to pressure Marner in the corner who had way too much time and space thinking his Dman would cover his man in the slot. But because Fox decided to go around the net they both end up in the corner leaving McDavid wide open.

It’s more on Fox than Matthews although both are responsible. Matthews could have, and maybe should have, played it safe and protected the threat from the slot. However based on system and structured hockey Matthews actually made the right play. McDavid pretty much says it himself.

Yikes.

I’ve seen you post this take in two separate threads, but the blind Leafs homerism needs to stop.

Let’s break this down.

First… Hughes(#86) and Nelson(#29) are correctly covering their points.

Hanifin(#15) is correctly covering the front of the net as he’s the LHD and the puck is in the USA right corner. He’s got Point wrapped up in front.

Fox(#23), the RHD, regardless of the path he took, is going to close down Marner in the USA right corner. Marner is standing completely still and is no threat to score from that position. All he can do is pass. Fox is going to close him down.

Matthews(#34) is the center and the slot threat where his opposing center, McDavid, finds himself is 100% his responsibility. Look at the path. Look at the dots. That’s simple coverage.

Matthews got caught puck watching Marner who, again, is zero threat to score from there or even drive the net as Fox is closing him down.

Matthews’ responsibility on that play is to take Marner’s pass away to the obvious man he is supposed to be covering, McDavid.

I’m sorry, but if you truly think Matthews made the right play there, I either have to question the level of hockey you’ve played/coached or if you’re just being a completely biased Leafs fan.

Hockey 101.

 

[JackSlater]

Matthews was actually good in the final game. Not great, but it isn't the time to rip him.

 

[ahmedou]

 

[Zalos]

I thought Matthews was pretty good in this tournament. One of the best American forwards.

Sounds like a bunch of Matthews haters trying to find ways to criticize him even when there's not much to pick on except that he missed a few goals last night.

Personally what I got from this tourney is that when Matthews and Marner play with different teammates they look pretty good even in crucial games. Maybe it WOULD be a good idea to separate them via trade and bring different types of players to play with the one staying in Toronto.

 

[TKB]

Yikes.

I’ve seen you post this take in two separate threads, but the blind Leafs homerism needs to stop.

Let’s break this down.

View attachment 980294

First… Hughes(#86) and Nelson(#29) are correctly covering their points.

Hanifin(#15) is correctly covering the front of the net as he’s the LHD and the puck is in the USA right corner. He’s got Point wrapped up in front.

Fox(#23), the RHD, regardless of the path he took, is going to close down Marner in the USA right corner. Marner is standing completely still and is no threat to score from that position. All he can do is pass. Fox is going to close him down.

Matthews(#34) is the center and the slot threat where his opposing center, McDavid, finds himself is 100% his responsibility. Look at the path. Look at the dots. That’s simple coverage.

Matthews got caught puck watching Marner who, again, is zero threat to score from there or even drive the net as Fox is closing him down.

Matthews’ responsibility on that play is to take Marner’s pass away to the obvious man he is supposed to be covering, McDavid.

I’m sorry, but if you truly think Matthews made the right play there, I either have to question the level of hockey you’ve played/coached or if you’re just being a completely biased Leafs fan.

Hockey 101.

I think Mathews may have been tripped up thinking Fox would take 97 when puck is at the point, but once it is rimmed around he has to see what Fox is doing, and then has another read when Fox is coming from behind the net. He just completely lost McDavid.

That said he had a good tournament and is clearly playing through something. Like McD said those cross-ups happen playing these hybrid/man on man coverages.