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Auston Matthews Reveals Exactly What's Wrong with the Toronto Maple Leafs
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has struggled to start the NHL season, although in all fairness to him, the entire team has been having some issues.
Auston Matthews and the rest of the Toronto Maple Leafs have had a rough go to start the NHL regular season. Through 11 games, Matthews has just five goals, while the team has a record of 5-5-1.
There are a few things that could be improved right now. For starters, the goaltending needs to be better. The defense could also use some tightening up.
As for the offense, there has been little continuity amongst the team's forward lines, and this has created some issues up and down the lineup.
Auston Matthews gets real about the Toronto Maple Leafs
When Auston Matthews was asked about what's wrong with the team, he offered a much simpler answer.
While he believes the team is competing and getting scoring chances, he feels as though the team is making too many mistakes.
I don't think it's an effort thing. Guys worked hard. I thought we competed. I thought we had a lot of o-zone time. Just when breakdowns happen and mistakes happen, they're too big of breakdowns, too big of mistakes, we're giving up too many odd-man rushes, and the puck is going in the back of our net. I think it's more a cerebral thing than an effort thing.
Unfortunately, the mistakes they're making aren't small ones. As Matthews contends, the Leafs are making the biggest mistakes possible, and they are leading to goals.
I think it's just being connected with all five guys on the ice. The effort's there, I think guys are competing, especially over the last week. I think we've found our identity but when mistakes happen, they're just egregious ones.
The Maple Leafs fanbase will be hopeful that the issue is actually this simple. Otherwise, things are only going to get worse.
On Saturday, the Leafs can officially right their wrongs with a win against the Philadelphia Flyers.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 31 | 183 ANSWERS Auston Matthews Reveals Exactly What's Wrong with the Toronto Maple Leafs Do you believe Auston Matthews is right about the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| YES | 133 | 72.7 % |
| NO | 50 | 27.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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