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No person can say with sure bet that Auston Matthews will have the ability to maintain his present goal-scoring tempo.

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Because the Maple Leafs’ most sensible centre plows his manner via opposing defences, despite the fact that, his teammates are taking part in Matthews’ makes an attempt to change into the primary 70-goal scorer within the Nationwide Hockey League since 1992-93, when Alexander Mogilny scored 76 targets for the Buffalo Sabres and Teemu Selanne had 76 for the Winnipeg Jets.

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Matthews’ hat trick on Thursday at Calgary in a 4-3 Leafs win over the Flames put him on tempo for 71 targets, which might obliterate his franchise file of 60 targets set two seasons in the past. Matthews has 37 targets in 42 video games.

“It’s laborious to consider, actually,” Leafs captain John Tavares informed the media in Vancouver on Friday, relating to Matthews’ tempo. “Whilst you see it each and every unmarried day, now not simply the ability degree and the skill, however the paintings ethic, the force, it’s actually particular.

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“His talent to seek out alternative ways to attain and be that constant and proceed to lift and do what he’s doing is beautiful outstanding. I wouldn’t put anything else previous him.”

The Vancouver Canucks sit down atop the NHL standings with 64 issues however received’t take the problem of looking to frustrate Matthews with no consideration when the groups meet Saturday at Rogers Enviornment. Whilst the Toronto famous person has 18 targets in 22 profession video games in opposition to Vancouver, it’s the type of factor that Matthews did in Calgary that holds extra fear for Canucks trainer Rick Tocchet.

“You have got to offer protection to the heart of the ice with that man,” Tocchet mentioned on Friday. “I noticed (Matthews’ first) target in opposition to Calgary — someway he were given the puck within the center, and when he will get the puck within the prime slot … If you need him to shoot, expectantly it’s from the out of doors. That’s your sport plan no less than.

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“He’s one of these constant participant and he rankings beneath power. The Leafs are down 2-0, he rankings now it’s 2-1 and hastily, bang-bang, he wins the sport for them. He has the present, however I do know he works his ass off in the summertime.”

Naturally, Leafs trainer Sheldon Keefe took a broader view when bearing in mind Matthews’ contributions in opposition to the Flames. Matthews’ fourth hat trick of the season and eleventh of his profession drove his group to finish a four-game shedding streak that had Leafs Country in emotional tatters, however there used to be extra to it for Keefe.

“His puck battles, his protecting, his checking — when he’s checking and protecting like that, he’s successful maximum of his shifts, and that units our group up for luck,” Keefe mentioned. “The mix of the 2 issues (scoring and defensive strengths) are why a participant of his calibre can lead us to successful.”     

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BERTUZZI FACTOR

After going with some other line combos up to now a number of video games, Keefe had Tyler Bertuzzi again at the left wing with Tavares and William Nylander at observe on Friday.

“I simply suppose he has achieved a just right task there many of the season,” Keefe mentioned. “When the ones guys had been in combination, they’ve been a actually just right line for us. It’s a just right are compatible. It falls into position effectively.”

We might take factor with the concept that Bertuzzi has achieved a just right task at the line. Whilst Bertuzzi does have sure underlying numbers, six targets in 43 video games is a big unhappiness for any person who used to be intended to attain and is being paid $5.5 million US to take action.

Bertuzzi used to be requested why he thinks the targets have now not been coming for him.

“I don’t know,” Bertuzzi mentioned. “Simply stay running laborious, stay attending to the web and sooner or later it’s going to come.”

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Or most likely it received’t, however no less than Bertuzzi is getting the chance. No longer so for forwards Nick Robertson and Ryan Reaves, who proceed to look at from the click field. Robertson has been scratched in six of the previous 8 video games and Reaves hasn’t performed since he harm his kneecap in opposition to Columbus on Dec. 14.

On Jan. 1, Reaves indicated after observe that day that he used to be just about returning, however that has now not materialized.

“There isn’t so much (Robertson and Reaves) can do at this level whilst now not taking part in,” Keefe mentioned. “It’s extra what is occurring round them (with the positives Keefe is seeing in Pontus Holmberg and Bobby McMann). 

“I’ve those discussions each day with Tre (basic supervisor Brad Treliving), occasionally a couple of occasions, on the subject of how we set up our lineup and take a look at to make the selections which can be the most efficient for the group that individual evening, but in addition taking a look at a bit of bit larger image.”

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LOOSE LEAFS

Tavares has long gone six video games and not using a level, his longest hunch as a Leaf. Does his self assurance take a success? “Smartly, I’m human too, so there’s feelings you’re feeling right through the sport,” Tavares mentioned. “I’ve a large number of trust in myself, however you need to turn out it each and every unmarried day.” … After going the primary 40 video games with out taking a penalty, Morgan Rielly has been penalized two times up to now 3 video games. “I used to be satisfied to visit the field,” Rielly mentioned. “I didn’t need that goose egg on there any further.” Would Rielly like a shot on the Girl Byng Trophy? “No remark,” he mentioned … The Leafs have had 123 energy performs, hanging them at twenty eighth sooner than NHL video games on Friday. Why are the Leafs close to the NHL’s backside in that class? “I would like to grasp,” Tavares mentioned. “Entering the second one part of the yr now, with the playoff races heating up, the refs don’t need to be those deciding video games. You simply play and compete and earn your calls.”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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