Tougher player, Laine or Matthews?

[Plural]

Which one of these young stars plays tougher game?

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[Digitalbooya]

This is what I think of every time I hear Laine’s name. Couldn’t handle a good solid check by McCabe.

I’ll take Matthews.

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

Laines averages a about one hit a game and, half a block a game
Matthews averages 0.25 hits a game but 0.84 blocks a game.

Neither is tough as nails type of player, but Matthews does have a power forward/grinder type element to his game.
Matthews drives hard to the net, board battles and uses his power to protect the puck so based on that i would say Matthews. But Laine can throw a occasional good hits here and there.

 

[McVespa99]

Who is a better dangler? Lucic or Tom Wilson?
Dumb poll

 

[LeafsNation75]

Neither is tough as nails type of player, but Matthews does have a power forward/grinder type element to his game.
Matthews drives hard to the net, board battles and uses his power to protect the puck so based on that i would say Matthews.

Based on those reasons it's why I would also go with Matthews.

 

[Slap]

Well Laine does hit occasionally and played pretty hard in the playoffs.
I don't think I've seen Matthews throw a big hit in his career so far, so it's Laine by default.
Neither is particularly tough however, so it doesn't really matter as it's not what they're about.

 

[Tralfamadore]

They’re both p***yes.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

I wonder which of them has the bigger bicep

 

[TheDoldrums]

Laine throws more hits, Matthews blocks more shots.

Laine's offensive game is more about staying around the perimeter while Matthews likes to play more in the cycle game and around the net. So him I guess?

 

[wabagee]

Laine hits more and blocks more shots, Matthews does nothing tough even though his nose looks like it.

 

[yzerman]

I wonder which of them has the bigger bicep

To Close to call

 

[PhilJets]

This is what I think of every time I hear Laine’s name. Couldn’t handle a good solid check by McCabe.

I’ll take Matthews.

That is McCabe face after hitting Laine's chin.

Laine should have been gone for the year with that kind of hit. Any player who got hit that hard is not going up.
Laine was back on ice after a week and played shortly after.

Laine is no power forward but he can hold his own ground.

The question is who is the tougher between the 2. it's Laine.

 

[bionic]

Matthews plays tougher competition. He plays a tougher position and plays in tougher areas on the ice.
It's Matthews.

 

[NyQuil]

Whoever has the bigger tattoo can clearly deal with pain better.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Neither are particularly tough imo.

 

[Kamiccolo]

How the hell are we supposed to know this? Neither fight or hit a ton. I would say Laine is easily the more perimeter player considering Matthews scores 90% of his goals fighting for the puck in front of the net. However does that make one "Tougher"?

Neither are tough if you mean the Lucic mold. If you mean who is more physical I imagine Matthews is technically as he used his body more to protect pucks around the net vs Laine who usually looks for open space to get off his shot.

Either way though, this doesn't impact either player in any way when considering the level of athlete they are. It's like asking which goalie has the best shot. Both have found success with their game styles who cares if they don't go looking for Dion Phaneuf hits.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Laine gives punishment more, Matthews takes punishment more. I'd say Matthews is tougher

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Neither are very tough players, but Matthews plays in tougher areas so him.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Matthews is more fragile imo

 

[Digitalbooya]

That is McCabe face after hitting Laine's chin.

Laine should have been gone for the year with that kind of hit. Any player who got hit that hard is not going up.
Laine was back on ice after a week and played shortly after.

Laine is no power forward but he can hold his own ground.

The question is who is the tougher between the 2. it's Laine.

I highly doubt that came entirely from the hit. He was mauled afterwards for throwing a good hit. Laine should keep his head up.

Still Matthews.

 

[Gurilla]

Laine throws the body around quite a bit. Matthews gets into the slot where things are pretty thick. Depends on your definition of tough really.

 

[heretik27]

Laine throws the body around quite a bite. Matthews gets into the slot where things are pretty thick. Depends on your definition of tough really.

Unless Laine turns into Eric Lindros and starts steamrolling through players to get to the net and score I just don't see a massive difference between the two. Neither are fighters, but cheapshot Ehlers and you can definitely see Laine lose his temper. Personally, I'm of the who gives a shit? side. I'd rather they focus on being a better hockey player than train like Adam Sandler in the batting cages taking baseballs to the skull back in Happy Gilmore.

 

[tony d]

Going with Matthews on this 1.

 

[Menzinger]

Nether is a gritty player but Matthews uses his size more often to his advantage - especially in terms of driving to the net.

 

[BAM]

Matthews is more fragile imo

He wasn't the one that got knocked out on the ice after a hit