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Stamkos says Matthews could score 60

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The place Rocket Richard Trophy winners are involved, it takes one to know one.

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That’s why Steven Stamkos was so complimentary of Auston Matthews previous to Thursday evening’s sport between the Maple Leafs and Lightning. Two-time winner Stamkos thinks the 2021 winner may have completed much more harm up to now couple of years.

“He’s been screwed over a few 50-goal seasons with COVID-19 and the scheduling,” Stamkos mentioned of Matthews reaching 47 when play stopped in March 2020 and 41 final 12 months. “He’s most likely subsequent on the checklist to attain 60.”

Leon Draisaitl and Alex Ovechkin are already at 9, Connor McDavid has seven, whereas Stamkos has potted 5 to convey him to 444 targets in his profession. With the Lightning’s profitable shift to a primary line of Alex Killorn, Brayden Level and Anthony Cirelli, Stamkos is centring Ondrej Palat and Alex Barre-Boulet.
“We all know we have now some ability up entrance, let’s make (Toronto and different groups) defend,” Stamkos mentioned.

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Matthews has three in seven video games after lacking three following wrist surgical procedure.

“Auston has an distinctive shot, he’s clearly the most effective scorer on this league,” linemate Michael Bunting mentioned. “Good to see it’s lastly getting into.”

With 31-year-old Zach Bogosian gone to Tampa Bay, the Leafs have been in a sink or swim scenario with the youngest members of their defence.

And when Justin Holl fell out of favour earlier this week, it put much more emphasis on ensuring Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren and Travis Dermott had been prepared. On Thursday, with Dermott a game-time determination in opposition to the Lightning due to a sore foot from a shot block, coach Sheldon Keefe assessed how first-round draft picks Sandin and Liljeren have progressed to this point.

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“I feel they’ve completed nice. A part of it once we misplaced Bogosian within the low season (as a free agent) once we went by loads of the choices was that it was going to offer an excellent alternative for these two guys. Now with Holl lacking video games, it has given Lilly much more.

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“Tonight will probably be his third sport in a row, so his confidence is getting larger. He’s incomes the belief of (assistant coach) Dean Chynoweth again there and so there’s plenty of good issues that include that. It’s what you need to see along with your gamers.”

Dermott seemed effective on the optionally available skate and if he can go, he’ll be again taking part in with Morgan Rielly, whereas Jake Muzzin and TJ Brodie type the highest pairing and Sandin and Liljegren are teamed once more.

The Leafs additionally referred to as up Latvian defenceman Kristians Rubins from the Marlies on Thursday morning. The transfer might be seen partly for insurance coverage as they’d haven’t any spares with Holl first in line to interchange Dermott, but additionally on benefit for the 6-foot-5 Rubins’ enchancment with utilizing his dimension and pace to the utmost effectivity. There may be additionally commerce hypothesis the previous couple of days that Leafs are buying Dermott or Holl, regardless of lack of depth within the group.

The Leafs take a successful streak of 3-0 into Thursday’s sport, however that is unquestionably the toughest of their five-game homestand to this point. The back-to-back Stanley Cup champions are a handful, even with out injured gamers akin to Nikita Kucherov and Bogosian.

“They’re going to be a great check for us,” mentioned Bunting.

lhornby@postmedia.com

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