Craig Berube Provides Assessment of Auston Matthews Since Return, Addresses Concerns
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube defended Auston Matthews after a reporter expressed concerns over the lack of goal scoring from the 3x Rocket Richard Winner.
Placed on injured reserve at the start of November with an upper-body injury, Matthews was expected to miss a minimal amount of time. However, the Leafs chose to be extra cautious with the 2016 first-overall pick with a light schedule, playing just 4 times in two weeks.
The lighter schedule gave Matthews the opportunity to visit a specialist in Germany before ultimately returning to the lineup against the Tampa Bay Lightning two weeks ago.
Since returning on November 30th, Matthews has looked more like his old self tallying 4 goals and 8 points in 7 games. Following the Leafs' 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks last night, however, one reporter asked Leafs head coach Craig Berube about any concerns he may have over the lack of production from Matthews.
Berube seemed surprised by the question, but supported his captain, citing Matthews' very well-rounded, 200-foot game, commending him for doing the little things away from the puck. Berube also expressed his confidence in Matthews, stating that the puck will start to go in for him eventually with the chances he's been getting.
"I am not concerned with it. I would be more concerned if he wasn't getting the opportunities. He is playing good hockey. He is playing 200 feet defensively, winning faceoffs, and killing penalties. He is doing a lot of good stuff for the team. Yes, we need him to produce, and he will. Sometimes, they don't go in, but he is getting the looks. He is taking pucks to the net hard. He is playing a physical game. It is 200 feet. He plays against top lines on the other team, penalty kills, and plays key situations in our own end. He is doing a lot of good stuff. I get we need him to score, but I am not concerned about it. It will go in.
"While Berube isn't concerned about the lack of finish from the 27-year-old Arizona native, you could see the relief in Matthews' celebration on Tuesday night after he scored the overtime winner, burying on what was his fourth breakaway of the night.
With Matthews healthier than he has been all season and getting his legs back under him, he should begin to light the lamp more consistently going forward, with this weekend being a prime opportunity against the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings - two teams Matthews has historically dominated over the course of his career.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 13 | 1204 ANSWERS Craig Berube Provides Assessment of Auston Matthews Since Return, Addresses Concerns Are you concerned with Auston Matthews' lack of production? | ||
| Yes | 454 | 37.7 % |
| No, he's healthy now | 560 | 46.5 % |
| I was, but not anymore | 190 | 15.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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