Quote:
Originally Posted by emti
I don't think that is a very good take on Matthews. The Leafs would be a completely different team without him. I also don't think you can lump Matthews in with McDavid as PP darling. Matthews has 29 PP points and 77 even strength points. For reference, Johnny has 25 PP and 90 even strength, respectively. Of Matthews 60 goals, 44 of them are also 5-on-5. To say Matthews is a powerplay 'darling' is a bit of a stretch to be honest. The fact he amassed 60 goals in 73 games alone is ridiculous.
I think the reason Johnny doesn't get more love around the league outside of the eastern bias is he plays on far and above the best line in hockey this year. Does he deserve it? Absolutely. This season has just been over the moon in terms of scoring all around. I do share your view on Josi though as the year he has had is basically unheard of in recent history for a defensemen and he is far and above the heart and sole of that preds team, which is what the award is used for. You could make the case for 7 or 8 guys to win it this year. Heck, even Kaprizov has been a total machine and you could easily argue his importance to the Wild is right up there with the rest of these guys. But to say Matthews is just a PP darling and to not account for his season or importance to that team is just silly.
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Tkachuk and Lindholm were a solid second line with a very good Mangiapane in Gaudreau's place a couple years ago.
Gaudreau is why they are the best line in the league in the last 25 years. He is as elite as elite gets. If the media cannot identify that... they are incompetent