GWG Rewind: Leafs vs. Bruins (GM 2), Islanders vs. Hurricanes (GM 2), Golden Knights vs. Stars (GM 1) & Kings vs. Oilers (GM 1)
Matthews, Martinook, McNabb and Draisaitl
Leafs-Bruins Game 2
Auston Matthews (TOR 34) owes his game-winner to a departure from Toronto’s agonizingly slow buildup play. Max Domi’s (TOR 11) creativity also comes in handy.
The sequence starts with Ilya Lyubushkin (TOR 46) bypassing Boston’s F1 with a quick up to Domi along the strong-side boards. Recognizing that Charlie McAvoy (BOS 73) is in a less dynamic position than Matthews (backskate vs. forward momentum), he lofts an aerial to give his center a chance to make a play:
The 2023-24 Rocket Richard winner nabs the lob in stride and pulls away from his mark due to that NZ speed differential.
Although Matthews is a formidable scorer, he hasn’t always been the most deceptive player on breakaways. He switched things up on Monday night with a hard backhand fake into his forehand finish:
Since the Bruins are ready and waiting for the Leafs to snake their way up the ice, direct north-south action catches them by surprise. Toronto, whose DZ puck management has floundered so far, would be wise to incorporate more of this moving forward.
Islanders-Hurricanes Game 2
Jordan Martinook (CAR 48) becomes a one-man wrecking crew in the playoffs. He pulled off this monumental forechecking effort in last year’s postseason:
He was at it again in Game 2 of the Hurricanes’ series vs. the Islanders. This time around, Noah Dobson (NYI 8) is so concerned with the imminent collision that he squanders his line on the puck and concedes possession behind the net:
Operating under the belief that the puck is headed around the boards, Semyon Varlamov (NYI 40) vacates the near post, which is lousy timing considering Martinook’s desire to attack the goal ASAP. A lucky bounce ultimately generates the GWG:
This occurs nine seconds after Sebastian Aho tied the game at 6-on-5. An absolutely brutal way to lose in the postseason.
Golden Knights-Stars Game 1
Last spring, I identified Jack Eichel’s (VGK 9) puck protection as an integral part of his success. This was certainly the case in Monday night’s matchup vs. the Stars:
After batting down a clearing attempt, he slips by Roope Hintz (DAL 24) along the wall to buy himself some space. While his pass is deflected toward the opposite boards, his work turns a would-be NZ regroup into an OZ possession for the Golden Knights.
Brayden McNabb (VGK 3) then opts for the simple play:
Watch how Ivan Barbashev (VGK 49) times his arrival here. Instead of parking on top of the crease right away, which would allow Miro Heiskanen (DAL 4) to clear the line of sight, the winger synchronizes his traffic with the point shot. Jake Oettinger (DAL 29) therefore doesn’t see a thing.
Strength on the puck, net drive, goal. This is grown-man hockey all around.
Kings-Oilers Game 1
Edmonton’s PP applied furious pressure and scored three goals on L.A. in Game 1. Oddly enough, a fairly innocuous setup leads to the GWG.
Leon Draisaitl (EDM 29) fools Cam Talbot (LAK 39) on a same-side one-timer:
The goaltender’s view isn’t obstructed. The pass doesn’t cross the royal road. Connor McDavid (EDM 97) isn’t really a threat from that distance. You can’t allow this goal—even with the solid shot placement:
If this is the level of netminding the Kings receive against a squad headlined by McDavid and Draisaitl…they’re probably cooked.