Sun guest columnist Rick Vaive: That was awesome, Auston Matthews
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The Toronto Sun welcomes former Toronto captain and three-time 50-goal winger Rick Vaive to our 2024 Maple Leafs playoff coverage.
Rick will break down each game in the Toronto-Boston series, today reviewing a 3-2 win in Game 2.
Seeing that winning goal by Auston Matthews made me think I was watching an NFL highlights package.
It was fantastic, Matthews looking like a wide receiver the way he caught that long pass from Max Domi, controlled it and went in to score.
The puck’s obviously got to be in the right spot, but he pulled it down, went in quick and just buried it.
Good play by Domi, too. Those don’t always work, but Auston made it happen.
The more you watch Matthews and his hand-eye coordination, the more incredible it is.
I remember talking to him at the Royal York Hotel at a Blue and White function and told him: “If I ever tried some of what you do, I’d blow out a groin.”
He laughed and told me if I was still playing, I’d be trying those kinds of things all summer.
I never practised all his between-the-legs moves and those kinds of plays. I just thought those weren’t going to work the way the game was back then. I’d practise my shot more than anything else.
Matthews performed well all over the ice Monday, not just the plays that got him the three points and would’ve had another goal if not hitting the crossbar before Domi scored.
Sure, the Leafs were down a game and there was pressure on him, but I’m pretty sure there was pressure on everybody. They were able to flip the script.
One of the biggest things they hadn’t done in Game 1 was penetrate Boston’s slot. There was more resolve there, more of them wanting to win this one.
Some people are wondering what’s up with Mitch Marner, who doesn’t have a point yet in the series.
I’m not really sure what to do with him, maybe put him with Matthews a bit more. He’s so used to playing with Auston and sometimes that’s difficult when you’ve been together so long.
You come back from an injury as Mitch did and you’re on a different line, so it can be hard to adjust. As much as you can, get him out with Matthews, maybe two or three times a period at 5-on-5 or of course on the power play to try and get him going.
But in no way do you want to break up Matthews, Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi when they’re clicking like this.
It’s really interesting watching Max. I played a little bit against his Dad at the end of my career. The resemblance is pretty close — he looks like Tie, has the same stature, not tall, but thick and plays the same way, other than the fisticuffs.
It’s kind of unique when you see Max play or be interviewed.
A few other things the Leafs did better that I saw Monday included faceoffs. Toronto was at 55%, with Matthews winning 16 of 23.
Again, I know people who’ll say ‘what’s the big deal about 55% versus 45’? But deep in either zone, you can control and you make plays.
Look what happened on that draw Boston won late in the first when David Pastrnak scored.
The Leafs still gave up a few odd-man rushes, but did a strong job back-checking. Matthew Knies, on one play I noticed, eliminated a 2-on-1.
Overall, it was a very different team from Game 1 and, of course, Ilya Samsonov was impressive with some incredible saves.
While I have the opportunity, I want to congratulate Lindy Ruff for returning to coaching getting the job in Buffalo. A great guy, great teammate when I played there and I think he’s a great coach.
I was shocked when he got fired in New Jersey with how bad their goaltending was and all the injuries they had. I don’t think that was his fault they were having a down year. I’m glad to see him in Buffalo again.
As soon as they fired Don Granato, I said they should bring Lindy back. He’ll be perfect with their young kids after developing many in Jersey.
I think he can bring the Sabres back to playoffs and hopefully get the Toronto-Buffalo rivalry going again.
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