Playoffs of Laine/Matthews

[HandshakeLineRespect]

They've done it before. Then again they've shut down a lot of teams top lines this year. Look into it they are actually pretty good, chum.

Keep telling yourself your 4th line is better than the Bergeron line

 

[Frank the Tank]

I'm not a fan of judging players a handful of games into their careers. Players like Datsyuk and Hossa proved their detractors wrong, whereas others have had relatively disappointing playoff careers.

 

[Daximus]

Keep telling yourself your 4th line is better than the Bergeron line

Never said they were better. Just said they've shut them down. There is a big difference. Lowry is no where near the center Bergeron is. But he is more than capable of keeping him off the scoresheet which has been successfully demonstrated. Shutting someone down doesn't instantly make you better. It just means you shut them down. I shouldn't even really have to explain this to a knowledgeable fan...

 

[JianYang]

Ughh, I hate comparing centres to wingers. You are better off doing a schiefele vs Matthews comparison.

If you really want to do this, I suppose you can say that lane is getting the job done with flying colours while Matthews is having a miserable time, but the reason I hate the centre vs winger comparison is because the C position more influential to a team's success than wing. That is to say that laine would have a harder time getting the job done if his center was struggling.

 

[5minutemajor]

A great, original thread.

Now lock it.

 

[Jeti]

Crosby getting shut down by Bergeron = not a top-5 center either then yes?

Remind me, when did Bergeron absolutely dominate Crosby for an entire series? Bergeron isn't just shutting down Matthews - first lines neutralize each other all the time in the playoffs - his line is also putting up big numbers.

 

[GlitchMarner]

But... ummm... Austin has three points in two playoff games and is +2.













Austin Watson, that is.

 

[behemolari]

Matthews gets owned by Bergeron at home 2 games in a row and Laine faces a much easier opponent = Laine is better. People will believe what they want so no point in arguing with those on here.. I am filling up my ignore list nicely though.

ignorance is your bless then

 

[behemolari]

This constant bickering over Laine and Matthews and their fans is insane. I'm a Jets fans and I have no problem agreeing that Matthews was the deserving first overall. Centres of his skill are too valuable.

That being said Laine may turn into a generational scorer. That's also pretty special. Let's just be happy the lottery balls gave us these players and save the debates when we have a decent sample size. Right now we don't. Jury hasn't even heard the evidence yet, nevermind being still out.

I fully understand your perspective as a Jets fan, those who are keeping debate going on are die hard Laine fans. Theres a huge difference.

 

[Dicky113]

Matthews looks overwhelmed matching up against Patrice Bergeron - as does almost everyone. Until Laine faces that level of adversity I wouldn’t draw too many conclusions. They’re both excellent.

 

[Quiet Jack]

Yes. At the end of the regular season is thought Matthews was better. But after these two playoff games I realize how foolish I was.

 

[untouchable21]

It's cause #1C's usually cannot risk making hits because it puts them out of possession. They need to dictate the play, be defensively responsible and be aware of the developing play. Hitting mostly puts people out of possession. That's why you rarely see #1C's hitting and wingers are always hitting, because they don't have the same responsibility.

Off the top of your head, what active #1C is physical?

Not active, but Lindros’ game was never hampered by being physical. He still dictated play and definitely was not a defensive liability. Different era, but he still checked all the boxes you mentioned.

Getzlaf is quite physical as well.

 

[TheNumber4]

no it doesn't and shouldn't. matthews is facing the best line in hockey with playing with a grinder on his left wing (hyman gm 1 komarov gm 2) where as laine is playing with much better linemates against an easier opponent.

Leaf fans whenever Matthews sucks and/or fails: ITS HYMANs fault!

This, despite Hyman beinng the best Leaf forward all series lol.

 

[rent free]

Leaf fans whenever Matthews sucks and/or fails: ITS HYMANs fault!

This, despite Hyman beinng the best Leaf forward all series lol.

It's idiotic to not think worse line mates make your productivity worse. Not surprising you don't understand that.

 

[behemolari]

Not active, but Lindros’ game was never hampered by being physical. He still dictated play and definitely was not a defensive liability. Different era, but he still checked all the boxes you mentioned.

Getzlaf is quite physical as well.

Peter Forsberg is perfect example.

Matthews really doesn't look like a #4 center in the game at the moment #NHLTopPlayers: Top 20 Centers

 

[Vekke]

Who cares? Both are excellent and other one might even win SC during his career.

 

[Mbraunm]

I believe Matthews is obviously better overall but am overjoyed that we were able to draft Laine. Let’s just enjoy the moments they create.

 

[howkie]

Ever wonder how Laine would make out if he was going up against Bergeron, Marchand, Chara & McAvoy? I do.

Win more regular season games so you can meet easier opponents, simple.....

 

[behemolari]

Who cares? Both are excellent and other one might even win SC during his career.

that's the fun part, waiting Toronto media and Leaf fans cares.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

Some of the excuses are so specific.

If Laine has a bad streak I'm going to say his beard makes him face aerodynamic hindrances causing him to underperform

 

[Cellee]

I think both will be good for a long time.

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

Laine's always been a better big game performer so far with WHC MVP award, Liiga Playoffs MVP award, key piece of the WJC Gold Medal etc but Matthews is young he's got plenty of time to figure out the psychological aspects of performing when it matters.

It was an issue in NLA as well where Matthews didn't perform well in the playoffs.

Did you watch him play? Matthews scored 3p in 4 games in the NLA playoffs, that's not too bad. It's also pretty weird to base anything as a "problem" for what he did or did not do in his draft season as a teenager, especially considering the sample size. Laine scored only 1 goal in the first series of the FEL playoffs (I think it was against Ilves).

 

[Walt22]

Laine's claim to fame is scoring goals and yet Matthews scores as much or more.

I think Laines claim to fame is winning and he is showing what great players do when the games mean something. Matthews....not so much.

 

[kelsier]

I believe Matthews is obviously better overall but am overjoyed that we were able to draft Laine. Let’s just enjoy the moments they create.

Agree to disagree, but the humble Jets attitude certainly never infuriates any other fan bases out there.

 

[TheJadePipe]

Laine is the better winger
Matthews is the better Center