I think they’re tired. I wonder if an early season back to back is tougher somehow. Didn’t they say this happened last year?
- Canada Cup

Not an excuse anymore.
Theyre young, should be able to play b2b ffs.

So Matthews and Tavares should be catching the same poop no?
- Dozzer

I feel like they have and they do.

For me, neither of those two have put their tail between their legs and physically looked like they just wanted to go home like Marner has in the post season, and that's why he's been the focal point of the 3.

I think they’re tired. I wonder if an early season back to back is tougher somehow. Didn’t they say this happened last year?
- Canada Cup

Yeah, I don't know. Maybe?

The Rangers played yesterday and are doing okay. Montreal played yesterday and are very much not.

But it's a weird night. Detroit is beating Tampa (they owned them last year, didn't they?), Buffalo is beating the Habs.

But some things never change: Andersen has allowed 3 goals on 16 shots - but the Canes are winning 4-3.

What about expecting those guys to elevate him as well?
- Dozzer

He gets paid to drive a lines offence. That’s some big player cash he brings in. Big players play every night. That’s why they get that level of cash…about 5 giveaways (3 on PK in his own end) is not indicative of a big ticket player. I think the issue is he is fantastic in stretches then he’s absolutely invisible seemingly when it matters most - playoffs or when the teams got nothing going and needs a ‘driver’. That doesn’t equate to contract and holding out until you get it.

He earned his ticket vs. Montreal in the playoffs? Even he admitted he did not.
- fifty__missions

He would never say he thought he did. Please don’t consider me that stupid.

MLSE doesn’t select the All Star team
- Canada Cup

No poop.

I was making a larger comparison of the folks in here to the people who actually get paid to run this (frank)ing franchise.

Boston has done it to him, Columbus has done it to him, and then Montreal did it to him.

He needs to buck it. If he wanted a grace period to learn with a passionate fanbase, the reality is he should have signed a bridge deal for far less money. Yes, he clawed and fought his way to I do it all money, any other guy in that price range disappears for a couple playoff games and every sports analyst in hockey is talking about it. It's not exclusive. 🤷🏻‍♂️
- joel878

This. He put the target on his own back. You ask for that kind of money, you better (frank)ing produce. When it counts. Spare me the "everyone is so mean to Mitch" horsepoop. This isn't kindergarten.

Bloody tsn wont load. How bad is it??

I feel like they have and they do.

For me, neither of those two have put their tail between their legs and physically looked like they just wanted to go home like Marner has in the post season, and that's why he's been the focal point of the 3.
- joel878

Well JT last year obviously was a shame due to the injury but Matthews sucked too

Like my farts
- THE EVIL WITHIN

This is a flatulent bunch.

Not an excuse anymore.
Theyre young, should be able to play b2b ffs.
- Fakepartofme

I’m not their mom. I’m trying to understand, not excuse and I wonder if an early season b2b is tougher than mid season. Habs getting spanked by Sabres as well.

He got a point last night, and not so far tonight but that goes for every leaf
- Dozzer

Yes, he got a secondary assist while he was sitting on the bench. He's played pretty much the same ineffective game tonight.

Detroit + Ottawa + Buffalo (all by 2) would have been nice in Proline.

Yes, he got a secondary assist while he was sitting on the bench. He's played pretty much the same ineffective game tonight.
- mjones242

I love how even when he does accomplish something you guys dismiss it.

If he didn’t make that pass the winning goal doesn’t happen. Plain and simple

Mrazek hurt

I’m not their mom. I’m trying to understand, not excuse and I wonder if an early season b2b is tougher than mid season. Habs getting spanked by Sabres as well.
- Canada Cup

Not that I want to encourage excuses, but the Sens and Sabres also have the added benefit of their home opener against hated rivals to help boost their compete level.

Well JT last year obviously was a shame due to the injury but Matthews sucked too
- Dozzer

I can totally respect that this is pure opinion and a lot of other people may see it differently...

Last playoffs I saw a determined Matthews who was doing all he could to make a difference, and I saw a 'get me out of here' Mitch. That's what I felt watching that entire series, I felt Marner was a detriment to Matthews. His panic play resulted in countless offensive opportunities dying before Matthews could do anything.

I can totally respect that this is pure opinion and a lot of other people may see it differently...

Last playoffs I saw a determined Matthews who was doing all he could to make a difference, and I saw a 'get me out of here' Mitch. That's what I felt watching that entire series, I felt Marner was a detriment to Matthews. His panic play resulted in countless offensive opportunities dying before Matthews could do anything.
- joel878

People seem to forget that AM34 put up 35 shots in a 7 game series. That's actually pretty decent.

The problem?

2.9 S%.

I love how even when he does accomplish something you guys dismiss it.

If he didn’t make that pass the winning goal doesn’t happen. Plain and simple
- Dozzer

So we can't be critical or be skeptical of his performance or that secondary assist?

Yeah, I don't know. Maybe?

The Rangers played yesterday and are doing okay. Montreal played yesterday and are very much not.

But it's a weird night. Detroit is beating Tampa (they owned them last year, didn't they?), Buffalo is beating the Habs.

But some things never change: Andersen has allowed 3 goals on 16 shots - but the Canes are winning 4-3.
- Monkeypunk

It's game 2, with a bunch of new faces, new look lines. Who cares right?

Leafs are hot trash tonight. A little bit unnerving in game 2. And they were ok last night - "just ok", to quote R.C.

I can totally respect that this is pure opinion and a lot of other people may see it differently...

Last playoffs I saw a determined Matthews who was doing all he could to make a difference, and I saw a 'get me out of here' Mitch. That's what I felt watching that entire series, I felt Marner was a detriment to Matthews. His panic play resulted in countless offensive opportunities dying before Matthews could do anything.
- joel878

I don’t think Marner was scared I think he was simply making a young man’s mistake in thinking and trying to overdue things.

Which looked like he was trying to be too fancy by attempting to avoid contact while over handling the puck

As for Matthews he’s supposed to be one of the guys in the league who can do it on his own when necessary but he didn’t

I can totally respect that this is pure opinion and a lot of other people may see it differently...

Last playoffs I saw a determined Matthews who was doing all he could to make a difference, and I saw a 'get me out of here' Mitch. That's what I felt watching that entire series, I felt Marner was a detriment to Matthews. His panic play resulted in countless offensive opportunities dying before Matthews could do anything.
- joel878

I don’t know he was a detriment to Matthews, but played poorly for sure.

I do agree that watching those games - Matthews was essentially beaten by Price. That happens. Hate the Habs but when Price plays top of his game (not consistent last couple years) he is arguably the best tender in the world. Sometimes the goalie has the shooters number and sometimes it goes the other way. Matthews was all over the place generating chances making plays and being defensively very sound during that series. He was definitely noticed and pushing.

This. He put the target on his own back. You ask for that kind of money, you better (frank)ing produce. When it counts. Spare me the "everyone is so mean to Mitch" horsepoop. This isn't kindergarten.
- fifty__missions

And further to that... I feel the team had a responsibility to recognize that mitch wasn't there either, and let him sit to spare him from the big money woes. If he wasn't there yet he wasn't there yet. Ownership of his salary is a two way street.

There we go. Keep it going and pull out at least a point you don't deserve.