Has Matthews struggled in the playoffs?
- Thread starter The Grim Reaper
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Hunter368
RIP lomiller1, see you in the next life buddy.
- Nov 8, 2011
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Struggled might be slightly strong wording, but he sure hasn't been effective, borderline non factor & invisible. Zero points in two blow outs. Going home now looks like Babs needs to protect/hide AM from the Bruins top line, b/c going head to head sure isn't working out well. Let's see what AM can now do at home being sheltered from the Bruins top line.
Oates2Neely
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Bergeron has locked him down. Now that game 3 is in Toronto I expect Babcock to keep him away from #37
I would say that using words like "non-factor" and "invisible" is more damning that saying he has struggled.
No he just dominates everyone on pretty much every team when he is healthy. But, historically elite defenseman have given this Bruins core the most trouble. Subban, Karlsson, Keith.
Why?
Is that supposed to indicate that Chiarelli is responsible for it? He's not. His drafting team picked one of those guys. Keith Gretzky is responsible for picking Pastrnak. Marchand was picked in the draft before Chiarelli took over and was picked by Jeff Gorton as interim GM and Bergeron was picked by Mike O'Connell's staff.
Trap Jesus
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- Feb 13, 2012
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He was probably the Leafs best player last night, although he did look defeated in the 3rd. He definitely had a great 2nd period.
In regards to the Bergeron match-up, the Corsi was at 7-6 Matthews, but the high danger chances were at 5-0 for Bergeron. Good news for Matthews is that he looked good vs. Chara+McAvoy.
Babcock has a hell of a decision to make in Toronto. Does he have Matthews continue on matching up against the Bergeron line with no Kadri or a semblance of any legit "shutdown" match-up, or does he have him build off of looking pretty good vs. the 2nd and 3rd lines, and leave the rest of the Leafs hanging out to dry vs. the Bergeron line?
In regards to the Bergeron match-up, the Corsi was at 7-6 Matthews, but the high danger chances were at 5-0 for Bergeron. Good news for Matthews is that he looked good vs. Chara+McAvoy.
Babcock has a hell of a decision to make in Toronto. Does he have Matthews continue on matching up against the Bergeron line with no Kadri or a semblance of any legit "shutdown" match-up, or does he have him build off of looking pretty good vs. the 2nd and 3rd lines, and leave the rest of the Leafs hanging out to dry vs. the Bergeron line?
Expectations are sky a for him based on nothing. I think he finished around 70 th in league scoring. Based on his season I was not expecting much In playoffs, and he has delivered just that. Leaf fans should just let the kid play, it looks like he takes the ice with the weight of 50 failed yrs on his shoulders. He’s not having fun.
FerrisRox
"Wanna go, Prettyboy?"
Actually, less than half of his even strength ice time has come against Bergeron.
Matthews has struggled no question about it...not looking good at all. Out of our top 3 Marner is the only one I would give a positive grade too.
He is not being pushed around just getting beat. There is almost no room out there with these Bruins well there is but when they have the puck
He is not being pushed around just getting beat. There is almost no room out there with these Bruins well there is but when they have the puck
MMANumminen
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Give him a break, he will be a great player one day. You must remember dude is only 20. Not everyone can be playoff star at so young age like Laine for example
Maukkis
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There is no intelligence test or fee to pay prior to joining this website. It is the great unwashed populating the place. This website is indicative of “joe average fan”. It’s not a “hf” thing you’re whining about. It’s just a thing.
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Don’t you dare post against the great blue narrative that dear leader Auston is being targeted.
Matthews is just firing pucks at the net from the perimeter. This is the playoffs and he needs to use his size to drive more at the net. But maybe he is hurt. This perimeter stuff doesn't work facing a goalie that stops pucks.
Rich Nixon
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GMofOilers
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Stickpucker
Playmaka
- Jan 18, 2014
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Yes I do. He's already tied for most selke's and he should own that record if not for the year he lost with the most first place votes.
It's been two games let's cool this kind of talk. Hockey is a team game.
All the Leafs are struggling. Not just Matthews.
Let's also not forget that Matthews is also playing against the best defensive player of the past decade and maybe the best two way line in the league. Lots of top players have struggled to produce against Bergeron.
Does he need to be better? Absolutely. But so does the whole team.
All the Leafs are struggling. Not just Matthews.
Let's also not forget that Matthews is also playing against the best defensive player of the past decade and maybe the best two way line in the league. Lots of top players have struggled to produce against Bergeron.
Does he need to be better? Absolutely. But so does the whole team.
behemolari
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- Dec 1, 2011
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as shown on sheets..
thats what many was saying, he was dominating swiss league until playoffs too
behemolari
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but i love that, and even more i love desperate leafs fans as you had a change to get the best goal scorer ever in the game, who by the way loves the pressure and expectations while having fun.. but super glad jets drafted him before matthews
waiting for see the first leafs home game
gonna be more fun
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Matthews had 4 goals in his first 6 playoff games against the presidents trophy winners.
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