So why exactly is MacKinnon better than Matthews again?

[OppositeLocK]

Matthews has almost as many goals as MacKinnon in almost half as many games.

And before you say their playoff records they're not that much different even though MacKinnon has had a much better cast with him.

Click to read more...

 

[WestCoastFinnie]

Because something something this and that and in conclusion, Elias Pettersson >>>>

 

[Hockeyholic]

MacK for sure is better

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Regular season is somewhat close but haven't really seen Matthews take over in the playoffs like MacKinnon has. That's the difference.

MacKinnon has that skating and speed where he can manufacture a really good scoring chance off the rush when his team has nothing going on and the game is mucked up. Auston Matthews has not shown he can do that yet.

 

[OppositeLocK]

Because he is more dynamic. The eye test.

It's tough to explain in words.

But if you did a poll of GM's most would take MacKinnon.

Sounds like the typical "intangibles" argument and how Toews is a great "leader".

 

[OppositeLocK]

Regular season is somewhat close but haven't really seen Matthews take over in the playoffs like MacKinnon has. That's the difference.

MacKinnon has that skating and speed where he can manufacture a really good scoring chance off the rush when his team has nothing going on and the game is mucked up. Auston Matthews has not shown he can do that yet.

And Matthews has a better frame and better skill in tight that lets him dominate in corners even when there are two defenders on him. MacKinnon has not shown he can do that yet.

 

[Mulletman]

Regular season is somewhat close but haven't really seen Matthews take over in the playoffs like MacKinnon has. That's the difference.

MacKinnon has that skating and speed where he can manufacture a really good scoring chance off the rush when his team has nothing going on and the game is mucked up. Auston Matthews has not shown he can do that yet.

Dude, have you seen Matthews play?! Many times the puck just seems to find him on the ice and like that the puck is in the back of the net. It's almost like Matthes can tap into the quantum field and manifest a scoring chance in the present moment when he's on the ice...

 

[Filthy Dangles]

And Matthews has a better frame and better skill in tight that lets him dominate in corners even when there are two defenders on him. MacKinnon has not shown he can do that yet.

lol, [mod]

Anyway, MacK is a bit of a golden boy around here. HF aint too fond of hte Leafs and Matthews, especially after he was largely a no show vs the scabs and losing in the 1st round again.

I don't think you're gonna find too many people with positive things to say about him at the moment.

 

[OppositeLocK]

lol, [mod]

My point is every player has their strengths and weaknesses. I don't understand how MacKinnon having a better skating game makes him a better center and hockey player overall in comparison to Matthews.

The stats tell a completely different narrative than the one pushed on these forums.

 

[AvroArrow]

Because he gets it done in the playoffs. Oh wait no none of them do. I think it's really close between them both, I don't give either one the decisive edge over the other yet.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Well if Mac is apparently better than McDavid, then it makes him better than Matthews by default OBVIOUSLY

 

[SniperHF]

Matthews has almost as many goals as MacKinnon in almost half as many games.

Because assists count too?

I mean that's quite a bit reductive, but yeah.

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

MacKinnon has 4 straight seasons over 1.20 PPG and has never been under 1.0 PPG in any of his 5 trips to the playoffs.

Matthews has 1 season over 1.20 PPG and has only been 1.0 PPG or better in the playoffs once in 5 trips.

 

[OppositeLocK]

Because assists count too?

I mean that's quite a bit reductive, but yeah.

But Matthews still has more PPG than MacKinnon. So you can make the whole playmaking argument but Matthews has generated quantifiably more offence than MacKinnon.

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

But Matthews still has more PPG than MacKinnon. So you can make the whole playmaking argument but Matthews has generated quantifiably more offence than MacKinnon.

MacKinnon has 354 points in his last 273 games.

Matthews has 351 points in his 334 game career.

 

[OppositeLocK]

Well...how about MacKinnon has been a playoff force. Better than Matthews.

That can't be debated.

Such a force that his major awards and accolades include being named an NHL All Star game player multiple times, and....?

 

[Regal]

Because career stats are an idiotic way to judge a player, his production is better than Matthews' in every year but this one, all of the underlying stats suggest he's better at driving GF%, and yes, his playoff numbers are still better.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

Regular season, they are arguably even.

Playoffs, I have not seen Matthews take over like Mackinnon. Mackinnon is a 1.38pts per game player in the playoffs, Matthews is a 0.75pt per game player... Mackinnon has led his team or been 1 point off the lead in playoff scoring every year he's made the playoffs... Matthews has had "good" series and is normally at or near the lead, but also had a playoff where he did absolutely nothing. Additionally, Mackinnon has actually gone on runs.

So... almost 2x as many games per playoff appearance, almost 2x more productive per game offensively, 17 pt team lead in playoff scoring since entering the league vs Matthews being 2nd, 1 pt behind Marner... how on earth are their playoff records not that different?!?

That said, Matthews belongs in that conversation and will continue to entrench himself within that top group more and more and more. But acting like there is no justification for him being considered a step below Mackinnon, while acting like they have been comparable in the playoffs... well, you're trying to bullshit us.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Meanwhile Brad Marchand is doing his thing each year and is always in the top 5/6 of scoring each year for the past bit and is effective AS HELL out there and doesn't get any love

 

[Dingo]

69 in 50 is much better than 24 in 32.
stats can be deceiving, but, at this point, these two arent in the same ballpark.

 

[OppositeLocK]

MacKinnon has 354 points in his last 273 games.

Matthews has 351 points in his 334 game career.

So we're going to pick and choose a favourable timespan?

Okay, Matthews scored goals at a 0.788 pace this season and only generated 3 less points than MacKinnon.

 

[Empoleon8771]

1. MacKinnon's upside has shown to be higher than what Matthews has shown in the NHL so far. MacKinnon has 3 90+ point seasons and a 1.30 PPG in his last 4 seasons. Matthews has 0 90+ point seasons and a 1.12 PPG over that same window.
2. MacKinnon's a better playoff player, with MacKinnon being substantially over a PPG while Matthews being substantially below a PPG.

What's the argument for Matthews over MacKinnon? Because goals or "he plays for the Leafs"?

 

[Incognito]

MacKinnon has simply been the much better post-season performer thus far in their respective careers. Until Matthews can change that, he doesn't really deserve to be ranked ahead.

MacKinnon career playoffs stats: 50 GP, 28 goals, 41 assists, 69 points (82 game pace: 46 goals, 67 assists, 113 points)

Matthews career playoff stats: 32 GP, 13 goals, 11, assists, 24 points (82 game pace: 33 goals, 28 assists, 61 points)

 

[Dingo]

Meanwhile Brad Marchand is doing his thing each year and is always in the top 5/6 of scoring each year for the past bit and is effective AS HELL out there and doesn't get any love

well, nobody likes him but i think everyone knows he is really good by now.

 

[OppositeLocK]

these two arent in the same ballpark.

It's exaggerations like this why many posters on this board shouldn't be taken seriously.

Aren't in the same ballpark. Okay whatever.