Yes Matthews Is Playing Elite Defensively, But Is It Enough?

In a tied sequence with the reigning Stanley Cup Champions the Florida Panthers, The Maple Leafs have been capable of finding manufacturing out of their high guys which has been an issue that has lingered with Toronto in postseason’s previous.

If we glance at this time day, the Buds have already discovered themselves beating the Ottawa Senators within the first spherical and are at the moment at two apiece with the Panthers in spherical 2. 

These accomplishments have rather a lot to do with the large guys, with William Nylander at the moment tied for third-most factors within the playoffs, Marner having an enormous second with a game-winner in sport 2 within the second spherical, and John Tavares persevering with his scoring type from the common season. 

Even Ahead Matthews Knies, who was anticipated to interrupt out has overcome expectations being a invaluable piece to the puzzle for this yr’s playoff push, accumulating seven factors in 10 video games to date. 

One title that hasn’t been talked about is Auston Matthews. 

Identical to the opposite 4 names listed above, Matthews has but to search out his true offensive skill by way of 10 video games with many followers and reporters questioning what might be unsuitable with the previous 69 objective scorer. 

Even together with his offensive struggles, Matthews has nonetheless averaged some extent per sport this postseason with 10 factors, however with solely two targets to point out for it, Many have requested the previous Rocket Richard winner to step it up within the targets class. 

Matthews has but to attain within the second spherical of the playoffs as he went goalless towards the Panthers again in 2023, and has but to place one on the board towards Florida this yr.  

Matthews additionally leads the playoffs in pictures lacking the online with 19 so it’s not like he’s not getting his appears which has put many in a frenzy mentioning if he might be taking part in harm or simply not feeling proper as throughout the season Matthews had missed time with an damage.  

Might it’s the damage that affects his offensive skill? 

After in the present day’s apply, Marner was requested about his captain struggling on the offensive aspect of the puck and the way he’s dealing with the drought. 

“His temper, his power, his demeanor within the locker room has been unbelievable by way of all of it. You simply attempt to keep affected person with it, however yeah, Tones’s (Matthews) been nice by way of all of it, he’s the identical man by way of all of it,” Marner mentioned. 

Even with Matthews scoring drought, he has nonetheless been in a position to be productive on the defensive aspect of the puck.

Matthews at the moment leads the group on five-on-five scoring possibilities whereas being on the ice at 10 targets for, whereas solely being on the ice for 3 targets towards with a plus 7 score in plus/minus. 

He has additionally needed to tackle a tough matchup within the Reinhart-Barkov-Verhaeghe line the place he was an enormous a part of why the road was quiet by way of the primary two video games of the sequence.

It wouldn’t be till Panthers head coach Paul Maurice would make the choice to maintain his high line away from Matthews’ line that they have been then in a position to begin placing up factors that helped the Panthers win two straight to tie the sequence up. 

Matthews has additionally proven his defensive price on the penalty kill which had been a shiny spot for the Leafs captain.

Though Matthews’ nice penalty killing, the Leafs will attempt to restrict taking penalties as giving Florida 4 first-period energy performs shouldn’t be within the books. 

Even with Matthews being the most effective defensive forwards this postseason, it nonetheless leaves no excuses for why his offense has dried up so closely. 

For a participant akin to Matthews with as a lot scoring pedigree as he has, when he isn’t placing the puck within the web, the Leafs have a lesser likelihood of profitable any sequence that they play.

“The large objective is coming, that’s the way in which you need to give it some thought. Who is aware of when it’ll occur? However he’s going to get his appears,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube mentioned about Matthews’ scoring drought. 

In a tied sequence with an opportunity to take again the lead at dwelling, the Leafs will want their huge guys to return within the clutch as soon as once more, together with Matthews, who wants to interrupt out of his drought if the Leafs have their eyes set on a Convention Last look. 

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