Auston Matthews talks about the games getting ''chippy'' and touches on Michael Bunting dropping the gloves on his behalf
Those who have had a close eye on the Leafs over the past 4 or 5 seasons know all about the narrative surrounding this team, which is that they're not built for the Playoffs - or that they're too soft for their own good. Well, so far this season, not only are we seeing an uptick in physicality, but the players have also begun standing up for one another. It's not limited to just Wayne Simmonds either. Now, guys like Mark Giordano, Michael Bunting, Morgan Rielly and Zach Aston-Reese are also stepping up when the situation calls for it.
During Tuesday's game against the Florida Panthers, the Cats did find a few opportunities to begin taking liberties on the Leafs. However, to their credit, the Buds stood their ground and not only took it - but pushed back as well. Following the game, which the Leafs won 5-4 in OT, Auston Matthews spoke about playing through the increased physicality.
"Teams like to play us physical &, I mean, that's perfectly fine. We're perfectly fine with that. We're a team that wants to play with the puck & possess it & things will get chippy. It's hockey. That's the way it goes sometimes & you just got to play through it."
Matthews, in particular, knows a thing or two about being targeted during a game. We saw it earlier this season when Travis Konecny went after him during a Leafs/Flyers game, only to have both Giordano and Bunting step in to ensure that Matthews' focus was on scoring, rather than fighting. Well, #34 found himself in the thick of it once again last night, as Nick Cousins delivered a few cross-checks at Matthews to try to get him fired up. The end result was not only Matthews taking the feet out from under Cousins, but Bunting dropping the gloves to divert the attention away from the Leafs' resident sniper as well.
During his media availability, Matthews also touched on Bunting coming to his aid and having his back, calling him "the ultimate teammate".
"He's the ultimate teammate, honestly. He's a guy that's going to stick up for everybody. It doesn't matter who he's going up against, he's going to battle & compete. We're extremely close ... I know he's always got my back out there."
The Buds were forced to take an unplanned day off on Wednesday as the team attempts to limit the potential spread of a nasty flu bug that has hit them hard. However, the team is expected back on the ice on Thursday morning in anticipation of a Thursday night matchup against the Winnipeg Jets.
Since the games between Winnipeg and Toronto have seemed awfully violent in recent seasons, I'd imagine we'll see plenty more of the Buds stepping in to defend one another again tomorrow when the Jets come to town.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 18 | 379 ANSWERS Auston Matthews talks about the games getting ''chippy'' and touches on Michael Bunting dropping the gloves on his behalf Should Matthews fight more of his own battles? | ||
| Yeah, he's 6'3, 208 lbs | 71 | 18.7 % |
| No, he's paid to score - not fight | 150 | 39.6 % |
| More physical, maybe.. not sure about fighting | 158 | 41.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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