Matthews’ aim tempo ’arduous to imagine’ as Maple Leafs hit Vancouver

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Nobody can say with certainty that Auston Matthews will be capable of maintain his present goal-scoring tempo.

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Because the Maple Leafs’ prime centre plows his approach by opposing defences, although, his teammates are having fun with Matthews’ makes an attempt to develop into the primary 70-goal scorer within the Nationwide Hockey League since 1992-93, when Alexander Mogilny scored 76 targets for the Buffalo Sabres and Teemu Selanne had 76 for the Winnipeg Jets.

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Matthews’ hat trick on Thursday at Calgary in a 4-3 Leafs win over the Flames put him on tempo for 71 targets, which might obliterate his franchise file of 60 targets set two seasons in the past. Matthews has 37 targets in 42 video games.

“It’s arduous to imagine, actually,” Leafs captain John Tavares informed the media in Vancouver on Friday, referring to Matthews’ tempo. “While you see it each single day, not simply the ability degree and the expertise, however the work ethic, the drive, it’s actually particular.

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“His skill to seek out alternative ways to attain and be that constant and proceed to raise and do what he’s doing is fairly outstanding. I wouldn’t put something previous him.”

The Vancouver Canucks sit atop the NHL standings with 64 factors however received’t take the problem of making an attempt to frustrate Matthews as a right when the groups meet Saturday at Rogers Area. Whereas the Toronto famous person has 18 targets in 22 profession video games towards Vancouver, it’s the form of factor that Matthews did in Calgary that holds extra concern for Canucks coach Rick Tocchet.

“You must defend the heart of the ice with that man,” Tocchet mentioned on Friday. “I noticed (Matthews’ first) aim towards Calgary — one way or the other he obtained the puck within the center, and when he will get the puck within the excessive slot … In order for you him to shoot, hopefully it’s from the surface. That’s your recreation plan a minimum of.

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“He’s such a constant participant and he scores below strain. The Leafs are down 2-0, he scores now it’s 2-1 and hastily, bang-bang, he wins the sport for them. He has the present, however I do know he works his ass off in the summertime.”

Naturally, Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe took a broader view when contemplating Matthews’ contributions towards the Flames. Matthews’ fourth hat trick of the season and eleventh of his profession drove his staff to finish a four-game dropping streak that had Leafs Nation in emotional tatters, however there was extra to it for Keefe.

“His puck battles, his defending, his checking — when he’s checking and defending like that, he’s successful most of his shifts, and that units our staff up for fulfillment,” Keefe mentioned. “The mixture of the 2 issues (scoring and defensive strengths) are why a participant of his calibre can lead us to successful.”     

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BERTUZZI FACTOR

After going with some completely different line combos prior to now a number of video games, Keefe had Tyler Bertuzzi again on the left wing with Tavares and William Nylander at follow on Friday.

“I simply suppose he has accomplished a great job there a lot of the season,” Keefe mentioned. “When these guys have been collectively, they’ve been a very good line for us. It’s a great match. It falls into place properly.”

We’d take difficulty with the concept that Bertuzzi has accomplished a great job on the road. Whereas Bertuzzi does have optimistic underlying numbers, six targets in 43 video games is a serious disappointment for somebody who was supposed to attain and is being paid $5.5 million US to take action.

Bertuzzi was requested why he thinks the targets haven’t been coming for him.

“I don’t know,” Bertuzzi mentioned. “Simply hold working arduous, hold attending to the online and finally it is going to come.”

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Or maybe it received’t, however a minimum of Bertuzzi is getting the chance. Not so for forwards Nick Robertson and Ryan Reaves, who proceed to observe from the press field. Robertson has been scratched in six of the previous eight video games and Reaves hasn’t performed since he harm his kneecap towards Columbus on Dec. 14.

On Jan. 1, Reaves indicated after follow that day that he was near returning, however that has not materialized.

“There may be not rather a lot (Robertson and Reaves) can do at this level whereas not taking part in,” Keefe mentioned. “It’s extra what is going on round them (with the positives Keefe is seeing in Pontus Holmberg and Bobby McMann). 

“I’ve these discussions every single day with Tre (common supervisor Brad Treliving), generally a number of instances, by way of how we handle our lineup and attempt to make the selections which are one of the best for the staff that specific evening, but in addition taking a look at just a little bit larger image.”

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LOOSE LEAFS

Tavares has gone six video games with no level, his longest stoop as a Leaf. Does his confidence take successful? “Properly, I’m human too, so there’s feelings you’re feeling all through the sport,” Tavares mentioned. “I’ve a variety of perception in myself, however you must show it each single day.” … After going the primary 40 video games with out taking a penalty, Morgan Rielly has been penalized twice prior to now three video games. “I used to be pleased to go to the field,” Rielly mentioned. “I didn’t need that goose egg on there any longer.” Would Rielly like a shot on the Woman Byng Trophy? “No remark,” he mentioned … The Leafs have had 123 energy performs, placing them at twenty eighth earlier than NHL video games on Friday. Why are the Leafs close to the NHL’s backside in that class? “I might like to know,” Tavares mentioned. “Stepping into the second half of the 12 months now, with the playoff races heating up, the refs don’t need to be those deciding video games. You simply play and compete and earn your calls.”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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