Lightning head coach Jon Cooper finally shows the Leafs, and Auston Matthews in particular, some love

Whether it's true or false is irrelevant. Cooper is merely trying to spark his team and get into the heads of the opposition. I'm sure he believes some of what he is saying. After all, he and his team have won back-to-back Stanley Cups. However, the Leafs have shown up for stretches and have certainly taken it to the Lightning against their will.

On Thursday, however, ahead of their Game 6 matchup, Cooper did give the Leafs some love in the form of support for Auston Matthews in the Hart Trophy race. Matthews was named one of the 3 finalists for the award on Thursday morning.

We know that Cooper is an excellent coach. Not only that, but he coaches some elite players - one of whom won a Hart Trophy in 2019 (Nikita Kucherov). I think if Cooper, who is currently entrenched in a first round matchup with the Leafs, can put his ego aside and admit how impressive Matthews' season truly was, maybe we should pay attention to something like that. 60 goals doesn't happen often. 60 goals in 73 games happens even less. I have to agree with Cooper in that Matthews is probably the lead candidate.