Sheldon Keefe and the Toronto Maple Leafs are pretty much locked into their playoff position in the NHL standings. So while the team doesn’t have much to play for on paper, Auston Matthews is one goal away from 70 – should the Leafs rest their star player or pursue a historic achievement?
@Toronto Maple Leafs
25 Comments
Dont sit AM just reduce his ice time a little for the last two games thats all he needs to do
You have to play him. Its literally one goal away. If it was 5 goals away I understand but its just one goal.
Why not play him? You're not going to see Matthews anymore once the playoffs start.
Honestly I think I’d go 11 forwards and 6 defencemen for the final 2 games and just strictly put him out there for Powerplays and empty nets.
He's 26, he's not going to sit him down.
If he wants 70 and you sit him out, he'll just sit out another playoff series. The only thing Keefe should be worrying about is what 34 wants. It'll likely be his last season if it's a round one bust again.
i dont think these fans are going to travel with us on the road, i dont think he knows how devoted that fanbase is and how important and monumental this achievement is he better fucking play him and let him get 70 because you god damn know there will be alot of fans there traveling for that game when he scores 70 like judges home run record.
Actions speak louder than words. Looks like playoff runs aren’t a priority for Leafs Executives. 😀
69 goals are more than enough. He has more than any player. Why not be content with 69? Greed for more never helps anyone.
Matthews doesn’t have a single playoff run in his career. That is his priority.
If this coach risks by exposing Matthews to unnecessary injury in meaningless games – then Leafs care about individual records for Matthews & Marner and likely they have secretly given up on the Leafs Core 4 ever succeeding in the playoffs.😀
69ers are great!
Never sit out a player when he has a chance for more!
c'mon,its all about me,me,me,,pass me the puck, playoffs dont matter. I think they need to think about the 11 goals against in the last 2 games by Samsonsieve,
I have zero faith in Leafs goaltending going into playoffs. The way Samsonov has played lately is really disturbing.
Mathew’s took a hard fall last night. Looked like he hit his head off the boards pretty hard… 😮
Not a good coach
They did Marner dirty last year. 😢😮😢
Hahahahaha…..anyone wanna bet that he plays……cmon this is Toronto! Hahahahaha….this is why no one believes anything about the city that was once Canadian…..
Score #70 and sit out the rest of the game and the next, no way Austin will allow Keefe to dictate his play time at this point. He doesn’t just want it for himself he wants it for the fans and for the organization. 💙🏒🥅 he’s going to get a couple next game
He’s getting 70 Keefe..
He’s getting 11 plus million dollars he’s there to play hockey not rest
I remember what resting players accomplished last year in the second round.
I'd say put him in for the Tampa game but keep him out for the florida one, panthers gonna be playing dirty and most likely try to injure him.
C’mon Keefer, Matthew’s quest for 70 goals is NOT A DISTRACTION!! What a dumb thing to say. Geez man, show some support for your STAR player! So pissed off at you right now.
there have been a number of games where the leafs main focus appeared to be trying to get matthews goals. a few things here. 1.leafs have been feeding matthews at the expense of others since he was trying to get his 50th. you can do this v mtl, columbus, Arizona. Try this in the playoffs and they will lose 4 straight. 3. nylander WAS their best player all season and suddenly he is getting cold. 4. special teams have been brutal and they need to shore this up pre playoffs. if they are assuming they will lose first round then play matthews 40 minutes a game until he gets 70. if not focus on special teams – ill-advised penalties by Domi and Matthews cost them the game v Devils. and now they know they will NOT have home ice in the first round. but enjoy the individual accomplishment of 70 goals which will likely be followed by another early round exit.
Play Matthews full tilt next two games After regular season Matthews has 4 maybe 5 games left after that this year He will rest after leafs are out by then
As if this is Keefe’s call to make. MLSE is a money-hungry corporation, and Keefe would never dare to insult his stars.