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Craig Berube Delivers Some Premium Glaze to Leafs Captain Auston Matthews
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube had some words of admiration for team captain Auston Matthews after eliminating the Ottawa Senators in Game 6.
For just the second time in his career, but first time as captain, Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs secured their spot in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a well-rounded effort to close out the Senators in Game 6.
It was bound to happen at some point, but finally, in an elimination game, the Leafs' 'Core 4' were able to contribute, led by two goals from William Nylander as well as the opening marker on the power play from Matthews himself.
Following a nail-biting Game 6 victory, Berube was asked about Matthews' play and his overall leadership, to which he provided plenty of praise for the Arizona native.
"Work ethic and competitiveness for the whole game. It was high-end. I don't know what his faceoff percentage is right now, but it is high. I didn't see him lose too many draws.
It starts there. He was just heavy, physical, and worked. He was competing. He touched all areas of the game for us [on Thursday] in a good way - PK, and he scored a big goal on the power play. As I said, he led the way."
It starts there. He was just heavy, physical, and worked. He was competing. He touched all areas of the game for us [on Thursday] in a good way - PK, and he scored a big goal on the power play. As I said, he led the way."
It was one of the more physical and dominant games Matthews had played in recent memory and, like Leafs Nation has done with Nylander and Mitch Marner at times, many had questioned why it's not a more consistent thing. Hopefully their efforts in Game 6 are a sign of things to come and they are finally turning the corner on playoff performances.
The Leafs have had Friday off to rest and heal some bumps and bruises, but will likely return to the ice this weekend as round two starts on Monday against the Florida Panthers.
| POLL | ||
MAI 3 | 3886 ANSWERS Craig Berube Delivers Some Premium Glaze to Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Were you impressed with the performance of the Core 4 in Game 6? | ||
| Yes | 2768 | 71.2 % |
| No | 1118 | 28.8 % |
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