Comments From Tavares, Carlo Paint a Clear Picture of How They Feel About Leafs Captain Auston Matthews
Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was a vital component in the Maple Leafs' huge win over the Kings on Saturday and Brandon Carlo and John Tavares explained why following the important road win.
Heading into Saturday's clash with the Kings in Los Angeles, everyone was eager to see how the Leafs would respond after losing by a score of 6-5 in a shootout against the 32nd place San Jose Sharks just two days prior.
Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner were both absent from Friday's practice after each played over 25 minutes in the shootout loss, and coach Craig Berube skipped practice and watched from the stands, deferring to associate coach Lane Lambert, who ran the on-ice session in his place.
Apparently, the day off did Matthews wonders, as he was far and away the best player on the ice on either team on Saturday, as John Tavares so excitedly declared after the win over the Kings.
"Papi was tremendous," Tavares said following the 3-1 win. "Everyone else followed suit, winning battles, staying with it, competing hard.
You're not going to find more of a complete player in the game like Auston. We all know what a tremendous offensive player and goal-scorer he is, but he makes plays all around the ice.
And his hockey sense and his ability to strip guys and read plays and the way he uses his body - he's so good in so many different areas. That's why he's a catalyst and a leader in every facet of the game for us."
You're not going to find more of a complete player in the game like Auston. We all know what a tremendous offensive player and goal-scorer he is, but he makes plays all around the ice.
And his hockey sense and his ability to strip guys and read plays and the way he uses his body - he's so good in so many different areas. That's why he's a catalyst and a leader in every facet of the game for us."
Brandon Carlo has only been with the Maple Leafs a short time since coming to Toronto at the trade deadline, but he, too, is already in awe of what Matthews is capable at both ends of the ice.
"Some of the moves that he was making out there tonight, I'm sitting on the bench and just enjoying the show," said Carlo.
"The way he can go out there and continue to block shots, get the puck 200 feet. To find all-around players like that is very special, and not many of them can do as much as he can on both sides of the ice."
"The way he can go out there and continue to block shots, get the puck 200 feet. To find all-around players like that is very special, and not many of them can do as much as he can on both sides of the ice."
Matthews (22:07) played more ice time than any other forward other than Mitch Marner (22:13) on Saturday, potting a controversial goal, plus an assist, firing a game-high 8 shots on goal and adding a pair of blocked shots in the win.
Much has been made of Matthews' health this season, but as we approach the playoffs, the 3-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner appears to be finding his groove at just the right time and does not appear to be hindered from the mysterious upper-body ailment that has been limiting him at times this season.
| POLL | ||
MARS 30 | 2577 ANSWERS Comments From Tavares, Carlo Paint a Clear Picture of How They Feel About Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Do you think Auston Matthews is capable of leading the Maple Leafs on a long postseason run? | ||
| Yes | 1922 | 74.6 % |
| No | 655 | 25.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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