Toronto Maple Leafs

Does Keefe Remember Matthews’ Game in Winnipeg Last Year?

Are the pieces are adding up for a potential replay of last season’s war in Winnipeg between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Jets?

by
Old Prof
October 21, 2022

Are things adding up for another battle in Winnipeg tonight? If fans can remember last December 5 (2021), it was the game where the Winnipeg Jets’ Pierre-Luc Dubois jumped on the Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews early in the third period.

The play happened early in the third period as the Jets were beating the Maple Leafs badly. Then the game turned goon(ish) – both ways. Dubois and Matthews got tangled up by the boards, which turned into a wrestling match. Of all things, Matthews retaliated and received a penalty.

[Note: That game’s highlights are included in the link below, but the penalties and goonish behavior on both sides are not all included.]

In that game, even Jason Spezza, who could never be accused of being a dirty player, crossed the line and retaliated for a teammate. After the Jets’ Neal Pionk put a knee-on-knee hit on Toronto defenseman Rasmus Sandin, Spezza kneed Pionk in the head when he was going after him in retaliation.

If the game sounds ugly, it was.

Tonight the Maple Leafs Are Playing the Jets Again

Fast forward to this past week. Against the Dallas Stars on Thursday night, Matthews took a beating. He still played a good game – perhaps his best of the season. He was targeted by the Stars as he’s been much of this young season. He was cross-checked, high-sticked, and tackled behind the net. Only the final tackle drew a penalty.

Although Matthews was clearly hurting, he remained in the game. He even had the primary assist on Nick Robertson’s game-winning overtime goal. But, he was banged up during the game. As a result, Matthews sat out yesterday’s practice.

Could a Similar Thing Happen Tonight?

Yesterday, as Maple Leafs’ head coach Sheldon Keefe put it, Matthews “got a little bit banged up.”

When the conversation after practice turned to Matthews, his teammates spoke about their first-line center. Third-line center Alex Kerfoot spoke about Matthews. “He’s as complete a player as there is in this league.”

Defenseman Mark Giordano noted that Matthews “goes to the hard areas. He’s in front of the net. We saw it again last night. … He plays hard. He finishes checks. So, there’s going to be bumps and bruises.”

Given How Matthews Playes, He’s Also Going to Be Targeted

Given that Matthews has not yet found his offensive rhythm, will the Jets take a page from the Stars? Will they try to intimidate Matthews and throw him off his game? If they do, and given their history in Winnipeg, the game has a chance to get ugly.

Maybe it’s just circustances. However, it also might be that coach Keefe recalls the December 5 meeting. Whatever, he seems to be preparing. Specifically, it looks as if veteran Wayne Simmonds might draw into the lineup for tonight’s game. It can’t be Spezza; he’s retired and working in the Maple Leafs front office.

We’re Seeing a Tougher Matthews, Still …

There’s no doubt this season that Matthews has added a physical element to his game. He’s also a big body who’s strong. Still, the Maple Leafs don’t want him to continue to take a beating without retaliation.

If the game reverts to the tactics of about 10 months ago, look for Simmonds to exert his presence into the game. Thus far, no one else from the Maple Leafs has stepped up to protect Matthews from abuse.

Perhaps Michael Bunting has tried. But he’s more pesky than powerful. He’s not the guy to carry that load.

Watch for the Maple Leafs to Step Up for Their Star Center

The game might slides along the same part that the Stars’ game slid on Thursday. If so, watch for a different response from the Maple Leafs’ players. That’s especially true for Simmonds.

Given the history of these two teams, it could be an interesting game.