Craig Berube calls out Auston Matthews after yet another pitiful performance
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was held off the score sheet against the Edmonton Oilers and head coach Craig Berube has had enough.
Last night, the Toronto Maple Leafs got completely overwhelmed by the Edmonton Oilers in a 6-3 loss that has a lot of fans questioning their loyalty.
It was a poor effort from the Leafs, and some of the team's best players were absolutely useless at times. It was yet another example of why this year's Leafs team would be lucky to make the playoffs.
Having said that, Leafs head coach Craig Berube was not amused after last night's effort, and for good reason. In fact, he had some choice words for his captain.
Craig Berube calls out Auston Matthews and others
While speaking to the media after the game, Berube made it crystal clear that the team's leaders need to be a lot better. Of course, Auston Matthews is at the top of that list.
It is a message that also extends to guys like John Tavares and Morgan Rielly, who should know better after over 10 years in the NHL.
I talked to the team after the game. Our leaders got to take control of it a lot more than they are right now.
For Matthews, this just furthers the notion that he is currently falling off. He is barely touching the puck, and the velocity of his shots is nowhere near what they used to be.
What happened to Auston Matthews' stats
Through 26 games this season, Matthews has 13 goals and eight assists. He has less than one point per game, and he can't seem to get anything going.
With 414 goals in 655 career games, he is known as a guy who can score two goals for every three games. Now, he can only give you one goal for every two games.
This is a pretty strong fall off, and you can't help but wonder if he is still injured or if Craig Berube's system is the issue in Toronto.
Whatever is going on, it is not good enough for the Maple Leafs to win meaningful games.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 14 | 497 ANSWERS Craig Berube calls out Auston Matthews after yet another pitiful performance Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs should demote Auston Matthews? | ||
| YES | 368 | 74 % |
| NO | 129 | 26 % |
| List of polls | ||