MAPLE LEAFS NOTES: Missing Matthews, the Berube/Tanev effect
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We haven’t checked, but we can’t imagine that Auston Matthews has bonuses in his hefty contract for missing the net.
If he did, the Maple Leafs captain would be cashing in more than he already is.
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MAPLE LEAFS NOTES: Missing Matthews, the Berube/Tanev effect Back to video
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Matthews has been lauded by his Leafs teammates for making contributions that might not be evident on the scoresheet, and the fact of the matter is this: Despite what some might insist, the Leafs are in a good spot in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, up 2-1 in the best-of-seven series against the Florida Panthers heading into Game 4 on Sunday night in Sunrise.
The Leafs have managed to earn a series lead against the defending Cup champions without a goal from Matthews, who, as we know, has become an expert at scoring during the regular season.
Through playoff games on Friday, Matthews was second in the NHL in shots on goal with 32, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, who had 39 as the Avs lost in the first round against the Dallas Stars.
Matthews leads in a category that he would rather not. His 20 missed shots were the most in the playoffs through Friday. The presence of Matthews, who has three assists in the series, in the offensive zone isn’t in question.
The number that pops more is two. That’s how many goals Matthews has in nine playoff games this spring.
“Listen, he is a great scorer,” Leafs coach Craig Berube told media in Florida on Saturday. “I’m not too worried about it. Yeah, he needs to hit the net. He’s trying to hit the net. He’s not trying to miss the net. I’m not going to really elaborate on that.”
Regarding Matthews, veteran Max Pacioretty probably spoke for the majority of his Leafs teammates on Saturday.
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“He’s playing all over the ice extremely well and as a teammate, that’s what you notice first and foremost,” Pacioretty said. “It will come. He is creating a lot of chances.
“For us, it’s not about looking at the stats sheet and the goal column, it’s what you do all over the ice and doing the little things to help the team win. Eventually, all those numbers seem to sort themselves out.”
Panthers coach Paul Maurice, upon being asked about Matthews, brought one of his forwards, Sam Reinhart, into the equation. Reinhart has three goals in eight playoff games.
“I feel the same way I feel about Reinhart,” Maurice said. “Whether the guy scores or not, sometimes it’s either a great save or a little bit of a block or a bit of a deflection. Their game can almost be identical to the nights they are scoring.
“I would say that’s different than a guy on the fourth line, where sometimes it goes in for them. Well, that’s happenstance.
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“The guys who score in the 50s or 60s, they are getting their looks, they are getting their shots, Reinhart has had a bunch he has missed.
“Auston Matthews, I feel the same way when I watch the video. He has the puck on his stick, I’m not feeling very good about it behind the bench. It doesn’t go, I feel a lot better about it. It’s opposite emotions with Reinhart.
“They are playing the same game. It’s inevitable for both players. They’re both going to score.”
STOLARZ UPDATE
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz hasn’t started skating yet in his recovery from an undisclosed injury, Berube said.
Stolarz “is progressing,” Berube said, without elaborating.
Stolarz has been out since the midway point of Game 1. He took a Reinhart shot off the mask and later was bumped by Sam Bennett.
It’s Joseph Woll’s net for the foreseeable future.
One big difference: Woll isn’t as sharp at playing the puck on dump-ins as Stolarz. That impacts how the Leafs can handle the Panthers forecheck.
“If (the Panthers) can get a good lick on it, they’re going to put it on the glass,” Berube said. “It’s pretty tough for him to come out and play those. He did get to a lot of them. They’re coming hard. We know that. He’s going to have to move (the puck) quick, make a decision quick and move it.”
IT TAKES TWO
While keeping in mind that it’s a complete team game which normally results in success in the post-season, where would the Leafs be without Berube and veteran defenceman Chris Tanev?
Berube’s experience behind an NHL bench is an asset his predecessor, Sheldon Keefe, didn’t have to the same degree. Tanev is the best no-questions-asked, old-school defenceman the Leafs have had in years.
“When (Berube has) won before (with St. Louis in 2019), that makes it a little easier on staying calm and it’s a really nice effect to trickle down when (players) know that’s the case,” Pacioretty said. “You do feel that sense of calmness in tough situations.
“The demanding roles we have in terms of when they’re making a push, we have to stay calm but also we have to get our foot on the gas. It sounds like an oxymoron, but (Berube) does a really good job of (balancing) that.”
When Tanev isn’t blocking shots or making a clean outlet pass because he’s positionally sound, he is probably absorbing a hit. Tanev has been hit 71 times in the playoffs — 30 more than the player who has taken the second-most hits, defenceman Lian Bichsel of the Dallas Stars.
Tanev was second with 25 blocked shots. Simon Benoit was leading the NHL with 27.
“You see some plays and you think after the game he’s going to be complaining about it, but you don’t hear a word from him about it,” Pacioretty said in reference to Tanev. “He just goes about his business. He is extremely tough and he is willing to sacrifice everything for the team and that doesn’t go unnoticed in that room.”
LOOSE LEAFS
Guess who had drawn the most penalties in the playoffs through Friday? Leafs winger Calle Jarnkrok, who has drawn six minors at all strengths. Four other NHLs had drawn five, while the Leafs’ John Tavares and Simon Benoit were among those who have drawn four … Of the Leafs who have played in all nine games, only three — Morgan Rielly, William Nylander and Steven Lorentz — have not drawn a penalty … The Leafs didn’t practise on Saturday, and Pacioretty was among those looking forward to doing some relaxing. “I feel a difference when you go out in the sun and maybe hop in the ocean,” Pacioretty said. “I see a benefit in that.”
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