The Official LEAFS NATION Hockey thread
- Thread starter Doc Holliday
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The Leafs had 52 shots on goal tonight in their loss to Colorado. Semyon Varlamov was absolutely fantastic. Antoine Bibeau had his first career NHL start and also had a very strong goal, allowing only two goals and making several big stops.
But an interesting stat in tonight's game was that the Leafs had 99 shot attempts. This is the highest total for any NHL team in a game this season. Very impressive.
But an interesting stat in tonight's game was that the Leafs had 99 shot attempts. This is the highest total for any NHL team in a game this season. Very impressive.
Leafs beat Panthers in a shootout!!! What a game!!!! What a great game by both goaltenders!!!! Great game by Matthews, Marner and Nylander!! Wow!!! :thumb:
Leafs: 3 Panthers: 2
Leafs: 3 Panthers: 2
Auston Matthews is first Maple Leafs player in the modern era (since 1943-44) to score 18 goals in his first 35 career NHL games. This includes him going on a 13-game goal-less streak earlier in the season. What a player!!!
I told you almost two years ago he was going to be a phenom, i never would have believed he would go to our team however, dreams can come true!
Indeed you did. Actually, you first told me about Auston Matthews 3 years ago.
Dreams do come true. Not only is it still hard to believe that the Leafs wound up with this phenom, but i never in my entire life would have expected to see the Leafs have three of their rookies be among the top 4 NHL rookie leaders!
The Leafs not only have top rookies in Matthews, Marner & Nylander. They also have the likes of Zaitsev, Hyman & Soshnikov. And let's not forget goalie Antoine Bibeau, who won his first NHL game last night in an incredibly impressive performance! It would not surprise me to see Bibeau leading the Leafs to the Cup five years from now. Of course, he'll have to impress a heck of a lot for the Leafs to part ways with Freddy the Goalie, who's been nothing short of incredible since mid-November. Only the best goalie in the league, Devan Dubnyk, has been slightly better. Only 25 years old and in his third season in the league, i expect many great things to come from Frederik Andersen!
Go Leafs Go!!! :thumb:
Wings’ Larkin knows power of Matthews first-hand
Dylan Larkin and Auston Matthews crossed paths in U.S. hockey system and will square off Sunday in outdoor Centennial Classic.
by Jonas Siegel, The Canadian Press
The kid was just 15, one year younger than he was, but Dylan Larkin knew there was something “special” about Auston Matthews.
Larkin got his first glimpse of the Maple Leafs’ emerging star at an evaluation camp for USA Hockey. He and the other 17-year-olds from the U.S. national development program didn’t know much about Matthews at that point, but his tremendous potential was easily apparent.
They were shocked when they learned he was from the hockey hinterland of Scottsdale, Ariz.
“We were looking and we see he’s from Arizona and we’re like ‘Who the heck (is that)?’ ” Larkin, the Detroit Red Wings young centre, said Friday afternoon. “Arizona Bobcats is who I think he played for.”
Matthews was “the best player there” at that camp in Ann Arbor, Mich., as Larkin remembers it, and the next season he’d earned a spot on a stacked U.S. under-18 squad which also featured NHL up-and-comers Larkin, Buffalo’s Jack Eichel, Columbus’ Zach Werenski and Carolina’s Noah Hanifin.
Even though he was the youngest player on that team Matthews was still known as one of its best, a big body who could move, control the puck and score. Matthews broke his leg early in that 2013-14 season, Larkin recalls, then returned after Christmas and was “unbelievable.”
“It was impressive to see what he could do at that young age,” said Larkin ahead of the NHL’s Centennial Classic, Sunday’s outdoor game that will feature the Red Wings and Maple Leafs. “I guess you don’t really know (how good he’ll be), but you have a good idea when he’s that good at that young of an age.”
By the summer of 2015, ahead of a season spent in Switzerland, Matthews was widely projected to be the top pick for the 2016 NHL draft. The Leafs selected him first overall in June.
His rookie season has been blur of immense and even historic achievements, including the first ever four-goal game in an NHL debut. Matthews has matched Winnipeg’s Patrik Laine for the rookie scoring lead with a special December, totalling 30 points in his first 35 NHL games. His 18 goals trail only Laine among first-year players. Matthews has scored 12 of those in the last 16 games.
His 15 even-strength goals, meanwhile, are second only to Sidney Crosby among all NHL players, and his nine goals to open the scoring in a game lead the league.
A first-round pick in 2015, Larkin had a strong first season for the Wings last year. He posted 23 goals and 45 points as a 19-year-old, good for sixth in rookie scoring. Those numbers look small, though, in comparison to Matthews, on pace for 42 goals and 70 points.
Matthews could become the only teenage rookie (Laine could also join him) in the salary-cap era to hit the 40-goal plateau.
“I think I had a good year, (but) it’s completely different what he’s doing,” said Larkin. “He’s taking the league by storm. He’s becoming a superstar or he is a superstar (already).”
Larkin just hopes his former teammate has an off-game on Sunday. Though Detroit won in overtime against Ottawa on Thursday night, the Wings are a scuffling outfit at the moment, in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1990. The Leafs, on the other hand, have won four straight, led by their talented rookie centre.
“He’s always been special,” Larkin said of Matthews. “I hope we have an answer for him on Sunday.”
Larkin knows power of Matthews first-hand
Dylan Larkin and Auston Matthews crossed paths in U.S. hockey system and will square off Sunday in outdoor Centennial Classic.
by Jonas Siegel, The Canadian Press
The kid was just 15, one year younger than he was, but Dylan Larkin knew there was something “special” about Auston Matthews.
Larkin got his first glimpse of the Maple Leafs’ emerging star at an evaluation camp for USA Hockey. He and the other 17-year-olds from the U.S. national development program didn’t know much about Matthews at that point, but his tremendous potential was easily apparent.
They were shocked when they learned he was from the hockey hinterland of Scottsdale, Ariz.
“We were looking and we see he’s from Arizona and we’re like ‘Who the heck (is that)?’ ” Larkin, the Detroit Red Wings young centre, said Friday afternoon. “Arizona Bobcats is who I think he played for.”
Matthews was “the best player there” at that camp in Ann Arbor, Mich., as Larkin remembers it, and the next season he’d earned a spot on a stacked U.S. under-18 squad which also featured NHL up-and-comers Larkin, Buffalo’s Jack Eichel, Columbus’ Zach Werenski and Carolina’s Noah Hanifin.
Even though he was the youngest player on that team Matthews was still known as one of its best, a big body who could move, control the puck and score. Matthews broke his leg early in that 2013-14 season, Larkin recalls, then returned after Christmas and was “unbelievable.”
“It was impressive to see what he could do at that young age,” said Larkin ahead of the NHL’s Centennial Classic, Sunday’s outdoor game that will feature the Red Wings and Maple Leafs. “I guess you don’t really know (how good he’ll be), but you have a good idea when he’s that good at that young of an age.”
By the summer of 2015, ahead of a season spent in Switzerland, Matthews was widely projected to be the top pick for the 2016 NHL draft. The Leafs selected him first overall in June.
His rookie season has been blur of immense and even historic achievements, including the first ever four-goal game in an NHL debut. Matthews has matched Winnipeg’s Patrik Laine for the rookie scoring lead with a special December, totalling 30 points in his first 35 NHL games. His 18 goals trail only Laine among first-year players. Matthews has scored 12 of those in the last 16 games.
His 15 even-strength goals, meanwhile, are second only to Sidney Crosby among all NHL players, and his nine goals to open the scoring in a game lead the league.
A first-round pick in 2015, Larkin had a strong first season for the Wings last year. He posted 23 goals and 45 points as a 19-year-old, good for sixth in rookie scoring. Those numbers look small, though, in comparison to Matthews, on pace for 42 goals and 70 points.
Matthews could become the only teenage rookie (Laine could also join him) in the salary-cap era to hit the 40-goal plateau.
“I think I had a good year, (but) it’s completely different what he’s doing,” said Larkin. “He’s taking the league by storm. He’s becoming a superstar or he is a superstar (already).”
Larkin just hopes his former teammate has an off-game on Sunday. Though Detroit won in overtime against Ottawa on Thursday night, the Wings are a scuffling outfit at the moment, in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1990. The Leafs, on the other hand, have won four straight, led by their talented rookie centre.
“He’s always been special,” Larkin said of Matthews. “I hope we have an answer for him on Sunday.”
Larkin knows power of Matthews first-hand
Only negative and frustrated scabs fans would dare post such nonsense at this time of the year.
I'd like to add that no team in the NHL is more exciting to watch than this year's Toronto Maple Leafs.
The scabs? Zzzzzzzzzz.
Go Leafs Go!! :thumb:
2016 is finally coming to an end. On the negative side, it's been a very bad year for the loss of great musicians and celebrities. And the Americans gave us Donald Trump, although 3 million more of them voted for Hillary Clinton instead. But Trump won on a technicality called the electoral college, which should be abolished since its a racist institution from the 18th century. But that's another story.
But 2016 also gave us this version of the Toronto Maple Leafs, led by a group of young players such as Auston Matthews, Mitchell Marner, William Nylander, Freddy Andersen, Zac Hyman and Nicky Zaitsev, among others.
The habs?? They're led by a Russian who tries to pass himself off as an American. But he's a Russian. If it walks and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. He also spends his off-time getting handjobs and blowjobs in massage parlors and got beat up earlier in the year by his stripper girlfriend. They have zero rookies in their main lineup. They are also led by an injury-prone aging goaltender who's becoming an average goalie by the day. That's the habs for you.
Go Leafs GO!!!! :thumb:
But 2016 also gave us this version of the Toronto Maple Leafs, led by a group of young players such as Auston Matthews, Mitchell Marner, William Nylander, Freddy Andersen, Zac Hyman and Nicky Zaitsev, among others.
The habs?? They're led by a Russian who tries to pass himself off as an American. But he's a Russian. If it walks and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. He also spends his off-time getting handjobs and blowjobs in massage parlors and got beat up earlier in the year by his stripper girlfriend. They have zero rookies in their main lineup. They are also led by an injury-prone aging goaltender who's becoming an average goalie by the day. That's the habs for you.
Go Leafs GO!!!! :thumb:
Doc go to my resolution 2017 thread and write: In 2017 I will leave the Habs alone! 
You are correct on one thing, the Leafs are the best team to watch right now. Toronto his a great city that deserves a great team. Hope they pull it off!
Cheers,
You are correct on one thing, the Leafs are the best team to watch right now. Toronto his a great city that deserves a great team. Hope they pull it off!
Cheers,
I totally agree. Toronto has become quite a sports city over the past two seasons. This year, the Blue Jays once again went to the AL championship, the Raptors went to the NBA East Conference Final, Toronto FC hosted & played in the MLS Final and the Maple Leafs seem to have turned the corner & are not only on their way to contend within a year or two, but have possibly played the most exciting brand of hockey throughout the NHL. Life is good in Toronto, baby!! :thumb:
Nasdrovia! :clap2:
Auston Matthews named NHL's star-of-the-week
NEW YORK — Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews, New York Rangers left-wing Chris Kreider and Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury are the NHL’s three stars of the week.
Matthews led the NHL with six points (four goals, two assists) in three outings to help the Maple Leafs complete a perfect week. Matthews capped his week by scoring twice, including in overtime, as Toronto beat Detroit 5-4 Sunday in the outdoor Centennial Classic.
The 19-year-old from Scottsdale, Ariz., leads rookies in goals (20) and points (32).
NEW YORK — Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews, New York Rangers left-wing Chris Kreider and Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury are the NHL’s three stars of the week.
Matthews led the NHL with six points (four goals, two assists) in three outings to help the Maple Leafs complete a perfect week. Matthews capped his week by scoring twice, including in overtime, as Toronto beat Detroit 5-4 Sunday in the outdoor Centennial Classic.
The 19-year-old from Scottsdale, Ariz., leads rookies in goals (20) and points (32).
One of many awards coming his way as long as he stays healthy, he is just too damned talented and well grounded not to be destined for greatness. He us a pleasure to watch, not super flashy all the time and just when you think he is not a factor BOOM! he becomes one.
Let me make a prediction: the Leafs next captain will be Auston Matthews. He's got the right mindset to perform admirably as the team's captain for many years to come in the biggest hockey market on the planet.
Morgan Rielly would be the other natural candidate, but i think Matthews is better suited and seems more at ease speaking with the media.
A few days ago the Leafs acquired veteran backup goalie Curtis McElhinney from Columbus and on the following day traded Jonas Enroth to Anaheim. McElhinney is a big goalie while Enroth was not, which should help boost Babcock's confidence in his backup goalie. The acquisition of McElhinney is also to serve as protection from Antoine Bibeau being drafted by Las Vegas. Bibeau will also get much-needed playing time with the Marlies as his ongoing development to one day becoming a #1 NHL goalie.
He was due to make his Leafs debut tonight in Ottawa. However, the Leafs today recalled Garret Sparks from the Marlies due to a minor injury to McElhinney. If he can't go, then Sparks will get the start.
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