Leafs' Auston Matthews Has the Perfect Response to Relentless Boos from Jets Fans
Photo credit: James Carey Lauder - Imagn Images
Auston Matthews breaks down the hostile Winnipeg reception and why he wasn't fazed by the boos after a gritty Leafs win in overtime.
A few days after Mitch Marner was booed mercilessly by visiting fans, it was Auston Matthews' turn to get the frosty reception, as the Winnipeg faithful let the Toronto Maple Leafs captain hear it every time he touched the puck.
It was a slightly bizarre situation, because at least with Marner, fans of the Maple Leafs travelled down to Vegas to watch the winger suit up against his former club for the first time since his controversial exit. As for Matthews, the Jets fans don't necessarily have a real gripe.
When asked about the fan interaction, the 28-year-old didn't seem the least bit bothered, and actually enjoyed it, as he believes visiting fans don't boo just anybody - you have to earn that right.
I don't mind. I mean, I think they're not booing for no reason, so I kind of just take it as it is and just have fun with it because, a lot of times it's fun, especially when you're out on the right side of it like tonight.
It certainly seemed like Matthews wasn't bothered at all, and was actually having fun out there, as he scored a goal and added a primary assist on the game-winner in overtime. He also had 5 shots on goal, added a hit and a block, all the while skating 21:38 TOI.
So maybe the Jets fans do have something to boo about after all, as he now has 18 goals and 38 points in 26 career games against them, and thanks to his efforts last night, he extended his point streak against the club to 8 games, stretching all the way back to 2021.
Matthews scored a hat-trick against the Jets a little over two weeks ago, so it's a bit unfortunate that they only play each other twice a year. The Leafs also have a really good record against Winnipeg, as they're 11-4-0 over their last 15 contests, including 8 of their last 9 dating back to 2021 as well.
Matthews will look to add to his totals on Monday night, in front of cheering fans, when the Maple Leafs kick-off a 5-game home-stand with a visit from the Minnesota Wild.
Also read on Toronto Hockey Daily :
Auston Matthews Coming Under Fire For Clip of Weak Effort on Backcheck in Leafs' OT Loss to Vegas
Auston Matthews Coming Under Fire For Clip of Weak Effort on Backcheck in Leafs' OT Loss to Vegas
Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily