Alexander Barkov vs. Auston Matthews

[FinlandPanther]

We are literally living in a world where Matthews is now better defensively than a selke winner. Delusional. And now somehow Barkov is not elite defensively

 

[Erikfromfin]

After this season we will have the final victory after Barkov lifts the Cup. Matthews is busy showing his buttocks in Arizona night clubs.

 

[FinlandPanther]

I don’t get how Barkov has a “defensive” reputation or how he won his selke last year.

The two of them are actually close offensively while Auston Matthews is a better defensive player.

As much as I love Barkov, and have him 5th among Cs in the game, I think he’s a clear step below AM.

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Matthews will never be a better defensive player. Please watch a game.

 

[The90]

We are literally living in a world where Matthews is now better defensively than a selke winner. Delusional. And now somehow Barkov is not elite defensively

Source for the made up bolded portion?

 

[FinlandPanther]

Source for the made up bolded portion?

His selke. And you know watching him every game take care of his defensive responsibilities before offense unlike one player here.

 

[The90]

His selke. And you know watching him every game take care of his defensive responsibilities before offense unlike one player here.

…. Nobody said Barkov wasn’t elite defensively though. You made that up. That’s my point. Just because it upset you that Matthews is being compared to your countryman doesn’t mean it’s not a valid comparison. For the record I think both are elite defensively.

Also, completely missed the mark on your description of Matthews. Couldn’t be clearer you don’t watch any leafs games. Not surprising given the leafs don’t have any finns.

 

[Space Coyote]

If i wanna win ill take Barkov. If im a canadian team trying to make money im taking Matthews.

What exactly has Barkov won which Matthews hasn't?

 

[FinlandPanther]

…. Nobody said Barkov wasn’t elite defensively though. You made that up. That’s my point. Just because it upset you that Matthews is being compared to your countryman doesn’t mean it’s not a valid comparison. For the record I think both are elite defensively.

Also, completely missed the mark on your description of Matthews. Couldn’t be clearer you don’t watch any leafs games. Not surprising given the leafs don’t have any finns.

Nice now we’re bringing nationality into it. Good job Don Cherry. I live in Florida but nice take, about as good as matthews being better defensively as Barkov. I watch the leafs all the time. You’re in our division lmao.

 

[The Podium]

Matthews will never be a better defensive player. Please watch a game.

I do watch a ton of Florida games. Big fan of the team especially Huberdeau and Barkov. I’m not saying Barkov is bad defensively, I just don’t think he deserved his selke. That is a very common sentiment as well among anyone who follows analytics.

Matthews is arguably one of the best defensive Cs in the game, and there is a lot to support that unlike Barkov, please prove otherwise.

 

[FinlandPanther]

I do watch a ton of Florida games. Big fan of the team especially Huberdeau and Barkov. I’m not saying Barkov is bad defensively, I just don’t think he deserved his selke. That is a very common sentiment as well among anyone who follows analytics.

Matthews is arguably one of the best defensive Cs in the game, and there is a lot to support that unlike Barkov, please prove otherwise.

You guys win. I can’t fight delusion. Mr. 4 second PK is the best. Once again proving why many people don’t respect analytics as the whole
Truth.

 

[The Podium]

You guys win. I can’t fight delusion. Mr. 4 second PK is the best.

PK isn’t a reflection of defensive play. Why not try to prove your stance instead of just saying “watch”.

 

[Leafidelity]

Matthews is better this year in every catagory

...maybe I'll give Barkov language because he's bilingual

 

[Zybalto]

Matthews is better this year in every catagory

...maybe I'll give Barkov language because he's bilingual

Doesnt Matthews speak Spanish?

 

[Zybalto]

Whats going to be fun is watching these two go head to head this year finally.

Matthews has owned Barkov pretty hard 5v5 head-to-head the previous 3 years before the Covid season and I'm interested to see if the better supporting cast will help Barkov this time around.

 

[Deadly Dogma]

wow, did some one just argue that even though Matthews has better defensive #'s that he is worse defensively?

 

[rangersfansince08]

wow, did some one just argue that even though Matthews has better defensive #'s that he is worse defensively?

I don't see how this is close when Matthews has better defensive numbers to go with those goals.

 

[RapidKnight]

You guys win. I can’t fight delusion. Mr. 4 second PK is the best. Once again proving why many people don’t respect analytics as the whole
Truth.

You’d expect a Selke contender to do better than 79% on the PK.

 

[bobbyking]

if matthews is healthy then we know the answer

 

[bobbyking]

most people don't understand that those stupid advanced stats are largely relatable to team performance

 

[needforspeed]

PK isn’t a reflection of defensive play.

Of course it is. Best defensive players play also big minutes in PK because it's a crucial aspect in winning games. Go ask all the head coaches and GM's which player they rather put on ice when Cup is on the line and their team needs to defend the lead in last period or the last minute of the game. I would argue at least 90% of those persons would put Barkov ahead of Matthews.

 

[The Podium]

most people don't understand that those stupid advanced stats are largely relatable to team performance

Be it as it may, these teams are 3 and 4 overall in the league based on P%…

Of course it is. Best defensive players play also big minutes in PK because it's a crucial aspect in winning games. Go ask all the head coaches and GM's which player they rather put on ice when Cup is on the line and their team needs to defend the lead in last period or the last minute of the game. I would argue at least 90% of those persons would put Barkov ahead of Matthews.

There is countless PK specialists that generally arent great 5v5 D. Hell Mitch Marner is probably the Leafs best PKer but is average at best ES.

I honestly think GMs and Coaches would prefer Matthews to close out the game. He’s better defensively and not a single person can prove otherwise. Your argument is “I suspect coaches and GMs agree with me”.

 

[Zybalto]

Head to head on ice 5v5 numbers since the start of the 2017 season:

TOI: 62:40
Shots: 43-31 Matthews
Scoring Chances: 48-36 Matthews
High Danger Chances: 20-8 Matthews
Goals: 4-0 Matthews

Matthews PP against Barkov PK:
TOI: 5:34
Goals scored: 2

Let's see if Barkov can turn it around. Got 3 big games coming up the last month of the season. Should be fun.

 

[ScottyHolden]

Matthews 100%. It's not even close.

 

[leafsfan5]

most people don't understand that those stupid advanced stats are largely relatable to team performance

Even worse for Barkov then since everyone on HF believes Florida is better than Toronto

 

[needforspeed]

I honestly think GMs and Coaches would prefer Matthews to close out the game. He’s better defensively and not a single person can prove otherwise. Your argument is “I suspect coaches and GMs agree with me”.

Well Selke award + my opinion at least. But I quess we agree to disagree on that one.

Anyway we have interesting times ahead of us. Now for both of them, Matthews and Barkov, it's time to prove they can take their teams to deep runs.