Auston Matthews Now Faces the Moment That Could Define His Legacy
Auston Matthews has a chance to finally get the monkey off his back when it comes to shutting down a series, but if he can't, it might be the end of an era.
With the Maple Leafs heading into Game 6 with a lot of pressure on their shoulders, it's do or die even though there's still one game left to play afterwards (if it comes down to it).
The fact they have been so great this season but continue to fail in the playoffs sounds like a broken record, and while they have been in this position before, they have never had such high hopes that could potentially be dashed in less than a week.
Auston Matthews is captaining this team this time around and while that doesn't necessarily mean that the team is going to be successful this time around, it did signify a changing of the guard in Toronto, with him firmly being placed as the franchise's leader.
Auston Matthews' Game 6 Will Define His Future
But he needs to be better this series, and one goal isn't going to cut it, and for a couple of NHL analysts: It might be the biggest game of his entire career.
Speaking on the Real Kyper and Bourne show, co-hosts Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne, along with Same McKee, discussed how important Game 6 is going to be not only to Toronto this season, but for Matthews' legacy as a Maple Leaf:
What I am hearing from last night, tonight; a whole new world on the way fans are looking at him. He's the captain, the organization made the change to take it off a hometown guy in a very important year, having this offensive responsibility; I think it's changed the perception amongst people.
Right now, I don't think there's any comparison for who is taking it worse right now between Marner and Matthews.
The ship sailed on Mitch, people think he's leaving so they aren't putting much energy into it. But Matthews going into Game 6, I don't know if there's any more important game in his career. Game 6 will be the most important 60 minutes of his career, and what happens.
Right now, I don't think there's any comparison for who is taking it worse right now between Marner and Matthews.
The ship sailed on Mitch, people think he's leaving so they aren't putting much energy into it. But Matthews going into Game 6, I don't know if there's any more important game in his career. Game 6 will be the most important 60 minutes of his career, and what happens.
It's hard to argue with that considering that not only has he had the most success this season in terms of winning (yes, he's won more games before but never had the division) and was primed to lead the team into a deep playoff run, but so far he's been bang average.
It's time for him to start picking things up in a big way, and with two games left to figure it out, he needs to make sure that Game 6 is as dominant as ever. Score multiple goals, play solid defense, and don't let emotions get too high.
If he can't do any of that, it's going to be something that will follow him the rest of his life.
| POLL | ||
MAI 1 | 343 ANSWERS Auston Matthews Now Faces the Moment That Could Define His Legacy Do you think Auston Matthews will tarnish his legacy with another playoff defeat? | ||
| Yes | 162 | 47.2 % |
| No | 181 | 52.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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