The Battle of Ontario turns personal as Brady Tkachuk mocks the Maple Leafs' heart after the Matthews injury
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Brady Tkachuk called out Toronto's lack of toughness after failing to protect Auston Matthews, and with the Battle of Ontario set to take place on Saturday night - it's the perfect chance to prove him wrong.
On the Wingmen Podcast alongside his brother Matthew, Brady Tkachuk was incensed at the Maple Leafs' response when Auston Matthews was kneed by Radko Gudas and did not have kind words to the rest of Matthews' teammates:
Your captain gets taken out like that, you gotta have a way better response.... I know how I'd feel if I got hit like that and nobody really jumped in there. I'd be pretty pissed.
Tkachuk's words ring personal, and the Battle of Ontario is the perfect way to settle the debate
This isn't just a matter of a Senators player calling out a rival, but the captain protecting his captain on Team USA and someone he considers a close friend. As much as you hate to agree with him, he's got a point.
But now with the Senators next on the docket, this is the perfect time for the Maple Leafs to take Tkachuk's comments to a personal level.
Gudas' blow took out Matthews but Tkachuk's words obliterated the rest of the team's mentality. How bad is it that you sit idly by and do nothing, then only start when called out? It's lip service and fans aren't too happy about it.
So tonight, they need to take whatever fire they've suddenly found and convey that into some passion. No more messing about. Tkachuk now has a target on his back and there's a good chance that the Maple Leafs are thinking about his comments.
Why tonight's response defines the Maple Leafs for better or for worse
It's going to be a tough balance between wanting to beat Ottawa and Tkachuk into the ground for calling them out, but also needing to lose in order to stop them from giving up a top-five pick to Boston. It's pride vs. practicality and Toronto's toeing the line.
But in this post-Matthews world this is a chance for the Maple Leafs to show that they are no one to mess with. Michael Pezzetta was recalled and should be in the lineup to make life miserable, and Simon Benoit needs to be a wrecking ball; defence be damned.
You don't have the captain, but you have something to own up to. We aren't saying go injure Tkachuk. No, that's never the solution. But giving him as hard a time as possible, fighting him in front of the net, and getting in his face at every turn; it's going to give him some thoughts.
So now's the time Toronto. Brady Tkachuk called you soft for not sticking up for Auston Matthews. Why not take the time to make his life as hard as possible on Saturday night?
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| POLL | ||
MARS 21|1040 ANSWERS The Battle of Ontario turns personal as Brady Tkachuk mocks the Maple Leafs' heart after the Matthews injury Do you think Brady Tkachuk was right to call out the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 684 | 65.8 % |
| No | 356 | 34.2 % |
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