Craig Berube Comments on Auston Matthews' Crucial Bounceback Game 6 Performance
Auston Matthews scored his 1st goal of the series in Toronto's big win over the Panthers in Game 6, and coach Craig Berube discussed his performance.
For the 1st five games of Toronto's 2nd round series against the Florida Panthers, Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was absent from the scoring summaries and was facing intensifying pressure to deliver.
He came through in the 3rd period of Friday's 2-0 win, scoring the ice breaker in the 3rd period to give the Maple Leafs a 1-0 lead.
Matthews and the Maple Leafs now have a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the 1st time since 2002 if they can pick up another win over the Panthers in Game 7 Sunday night.
Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said that not only was Matthews' goal key, but that he played both ends of the ice consistently.
For me, Auston - as it is consistently, on all nights - plays 200 feet. He touches all areas of the game. And he scored a big goal for us tonight, obviously.
Again, it starts with his determination and leadership that way. It rubs off on the rest of our team when they see him going the way he was going tonight. I thought he was very determined. He competed extremely hard. He touched all areas of the game.
Again, it starts with his determination and leadership that way. It rubs off on the rest of our team when they see him going the way he was going tonight. I thought he was very determined. He competed extremely hard. He touched all areas of the game.
Overall, Berube liked the way that his team as a whole played.
We played a simple game tonight and were determined. That stands out for me, more than anything: determination, on our toes, skating, moving the puck, and doing all of the little things right. We managed the puck really well tonight, in my opinion. We didn't have many turnovers. We got pucks deep. All of the simple things.
It will be a packed house on Sunday night, both inside and outside Scotiabank Arena, for the ultimate words every sports fan loves - Game 7.
| POLL | ||
MAI 17|399 ANSWERS Craig Berube Comments on Auston Matthews' Crucial Bounceback Game 6 Performance Can Auston Matthews lead the Maple Leafs to a win in Game 7? | ||
| Yes | 174 | 43.6 % |
| No | 225 | 56.4 % |
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