It’s time for some more GIFs, folks. Auston Matthews is the fourth player I’ll be covering in this fashion. In case you missed the first three you can go to my author page here to find similar pieces on Jake Gardiner, Mitch Marner and William Nylander. Let’s get right into it because I’m excited for this.

Aaaand I’ll just take that real quick

Matthews is pretty Datsyuk-esque in his ability to take pucks from NHLers like he's taking candy from a baby. pic.twitter.com/wUdxVJktho — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) January 9, 2017

A Montreal Canadien forward (Brian Flynn?) is curling through the neutral zone seemingly with some space to skate when Matthews’ stick comes out of nowhere and takes the puck like it’s nothing. He then dances around another Canadien forward and heads into the offensive zone. I truly marvel at Matthews’ ability to take the puck from other NHL players while making it look really easy.

Auston can get a good shot off from any awkward body position

I'm about 90% sure Auston Matthews is good at hockey. pic.twitter.com/htWBkEKJEl — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) January 18, 2017

The ability to get a hard shot off from awkward body positions is another prevalent skill I just love to watch. Here is obviously a great example, as he’s stationary in the slot with his toes facing the net and his stick off to the side. He somehow catches the puck and immediately rifles it off the crossbar and in. The technique and wrist strength it takes to do this is off the charts.

Role reversal with Jake Gardiner

Carrick to Matthews up to Gardiner to Brown to Hyman who just misses. pic.twitter.com/Dm2vWrGY6M — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) January 22, 2017

I like this play because Matthews and Gardiner switch their usual roles in the breakout. This time it’s Matthews with the exit pass to a streaking Gardiner who starts a nice passing play with Connor Brown and Zach Hyman, but Hyman just misses.

Being too unselfish

Matthews has a clear shot on a two on one with Brown, but tries to force the pass. Definitely want him shooting there 100% of the time. pic.twitter.com/Jk5Dklzz7k — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) January 26, 2017

If you’re Auston Matthews and you’re offered a clear shot from that close, you take it every time. He’s usually good for that (he was top ten in the NHL in shots), but here he elects to force a pass to Brown on the two on one. I’m sure the coaches encouraged the kid to be a little more selfish after this one.

Dancing around the defender and drawing a penalty

Auston Matthews just exposes Esa Lindell and forces him to take a penalty. pic.twitter.com/mZo1Gm5R8d — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 2, 2017

As soon as Lindell commits to the board side by crossing over that way and swinging a poke check, Matthews puts it under the stick, beating him easily. He’s now in alone on Antti Niemi and Lindell is forced to take a penalty on him.

Is John Tavares trying to tell us something?

I'm almost positive this Tavares pass to Matthews in prime scoring position was a blatant commitment to signing with the Leafs. pic.twitter.com/3klBaLmG3V — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 7, 2017

I really wish Matthews scored on this. pic.twitter.com/s6vezGEyPv — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 7, 2017

John Tavares to the Leafs confirmed.

Working with his teammates in the defensive zone

Matthews line loading up one side to support each other up the wall. Gardiner, Hyman, Matthews and Brown all had a hand in getting puck out. pic.twitter.com/dedqMGHG1E — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 8, 2017

This one was a team effort. They had been stuck in their zone for a brief period and John Klingberg takes a shot from the point, leading to Gardiner controlling the puck in the corner. When he gives it to Hyman, who has nowhere to go, Matthews and Brown converge into the area for support. This makes it easy for Hyman, who just pushes it up the boards to Matthews who pushes it up to Brown who chases it into the neutral zone.

Working with his teammates in the offensive zone

They're at it again, now in the o-zone. Hyman causing chaos down low, Matthews recognizes Gardiner pinch, goes to cover for him, SOG. pic.twitter.com/KbqFiXNpYb — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 8, 2017

Another good display of teamwork from the same four players a few minutes later. It starts with Hyman working the puck down below the goal line (as always) and then a pinch from Gardiner, who chips it to the middle to Matthews who had been retreating to cover for Gardiner. Hyman and Brown are now both in front of the goaltender so Matthews takes a quick shot through traffic where Hyman does his best to bully both the puck and the goaltender into the net.

Defence leading to offence

Matthews, Brown + Hyman all pressure the puck carrier, force a turnover, 2 on 1 the other way. Niemi breaks it up in very Niemi-like fashion pic.twitter.com/DqEuzAdpjo — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 9, 2017

Again this line does a good job of giving the opposition nothing in the offensive zone. Matthews and Brown force the Stars forward up to the blueline where Hyman cuts him off and forces a turnover. Brown makes a quick pass up to Hyman and he’s now on a two on one with Matthews.

Again beating a Stars defender and drawing a penalty

Matthews catches Klingberg pivoting the wrong way, beats him to the other side, forcing the back checker to take a penalty on him. pic.twitter.com/w2Cl17lfRz — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 9, 2017

This time Matthews exposes the Stars best defenceman in John Klingberg. It’s a one on one with Antoine Roussel trailing closely behind him. Right when Matthews brings it to the forehand Klingberg has to get his stick into the lane to protect against that lethal shot which Matthews can unleash in a moment’s notice. As soon as Klingberg pivots to that side, Matthews goes around him on the other side, forcing Roussel to take a penalty on him.

Again managing a good shot from an awkward shooting position

Matthews' release is a beautiful thing. pic.twitter.com/e93sAJaG83 — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 12, 2017

This is another shot that really stood out to me. It’s a long shot which gives the goalie no trouble, but just the way he gets it off is really impressive. He pulls it into his feet and just leans into it in one motion, getting it off in a hurry.

Spin-o-rama pass from behind the net

Matthews with a really great play to set up Hyman, who totally misses the puck. pic.twitter.com/DFwTA3eUAv — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 12, 2017

Kind’ve like the one he made to Komarov against the Capitals, except without the backhand toe drag and Hyman missed the puck.

Using some fancy footwork to set up Connor Brown

Matthews to Brown who rings it off the post. pic.twitter.com/v30yEbDoGU — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 15, 2017

Here he opens his feet up like Gardiner and Jeff Skinner do in order to deceive the defenders. This way he can either pivot to the middle or to the outside quickly, but he finds Brown cruising into the slot behind him and Brown rings it off the bar.

Toying with the Islanders

Auston Matthews is good at hockey. pic.twitter.com/rzKNimAxal — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 15, 2017

Well this is extremely aesthetically pleasing on the eyeballs. He picks off the puck at the defensive blue line with a guy coming right at him, so he just quickly toe drags him. Then, with another guy on his back and the puck rolling, he chips the puck over another Islanders’ stick at the redline. He eventually runs out of room in the offensive zone and just throws the puck at the net from the corner, but he does a lot of stuff in a short period of time with the puck here.

PP goal vs the Islanders

Matthews gets his 26th of the year on the PP. pic.twitter.com/fC9SVVuOSk — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 15, 2017

I just didn’t know you could make a backhand flick shot one timer look pretty.

Pickpocketing Casey Cizikas and then immediately scoring

Matthews steals the puck (as he does), goes to the net and buries his 27th. 6-1 Leafs. pic.twitter.com/CiNencReH3 — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 15, 2017

Another example of Matthews’ Datsyuk-like ability to steal pucks from players. This time he victimizes Casey Cizikas just before he gets the puck out, then he plays a give and go with Hyman down low, scoring on the return feed.

I think he surprised Korpisalo

Matthews handcuffs Korpisalo with a shot right by his left ear, but he gets a piece of it and it hits the crossbar. pic.twitter.com/HpcC7EIdcJ — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 16, 2017

Once again Matthews gets a hard shot off from a suboptimal shooting position. He’s skating backward away from the net with two defender’s sticks in the lane, but he somehow still wires a shot at the top corner on the glove side. Korpisalo was clearly surprised by this as he looks extremely awkward lunging at the puck, which grazes his shoulder and goes off the crossbar.

Being a puck thief again

If Matthews ever decides he's bored of tearing up the NHL, I'd suggest moving to Vegas and becoming a pickpocketer. pic.twitter.com/ah1ZZOlQUl — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 16, 2017

Are you seeing a trend here? This time the Blue Jackets think they’re about to get the puck and ice it on the penalty kill, but Matthews has different ideas. He quickly strips it from Matt Calvert and feeds Gardiner who is by himself at the far post. Gardiner tries to feed it back across to Brown, but there is a defender in the way and the puck ends up covered after some brief chaos.

Royal road pass to Nylander who scores

Matthews + Nylander = *goal *also me crying a bit. pic.twitter.com/ihe25lkMR8 — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 19, 2017

Matthews gets the puck at the point on the powerplay with a defender charging toward him. Matthews starts to back up across the blueline just long enough for the defender to pivot to the middle. Matthews then stops up and quickly heads the other way, down the boards, before feeding Nylander across the ice. Nylander makes no mistake. This one was also featured in the Nylander piece, but both players made great plays so it makes it into both.

Drawing another penalty

How to draw penalties ft. Auston Matthews: be better than everyone else. pic.twitter.com/wYAVNXoZsY — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 20, 2017

When Matthews decides he’s going to dominate down low, you’re in trouble. His stops and starts with the puck as well as his pivots are extremely strong. He can be going one way one second and the next he’s accelerating the other way and you’re three steps behind him. Here he forces the defenceman to take a penalty by doing so.

That goal where he was flying through the air facing away from the net

Auston Matthews is good at his job. pic.twitter.com/HcEF4alZyg — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 20, 2017

Yeah, you’ve all seen this one. Low-key awesome rim pass by Gardiner, though.

Dancing around the forechecker, zone exit, zone entry

Matthews and Nylander connected on this beautiful play in the second, but Hellebuyck stopped it. pic.twitter.com/fDZ5UaFVRZ — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 22, 2017

Again showing off his acceleration by going from stationary with a forechecker right on him to flying out of the zone after a little under the stick move. He then brings it into the offensive zone where he gives it off to Nylander who also makes some magic, but is stopped by the goaltender.

I like to think he did this on purpose

Nylander ties the game up in the third period off of a one timer off of a ricochet off the end boards from a Matthews shot. pic.twitter.com/MNowB8kFur — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 22, 2017

Do you think he did that on purpose? I actually still have no clue, but I really would not be surprised in the slightest.

Somehow missed this in the Gardiner piece

Gardiner wins the game in OT with a great shot and possibly a better celebration. Matthews recorded his third assist of the game on the play pic.twitter.com/zZie6q59W3 — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 22, 2017

This was one of my favourite moments of the season, yet I somehow missed it when doing the Gardiner piece. So, since Matthews had the primary assist, I’ll slip it in here.

Showing off some wonderful hand-eye coordination

I really wish this play by Matthews didn't go to waste. pic.twitter.com/8w0KHZMaQS — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) February 26, 2017

Just flicks it over the defenceman’s stick on the backhand, then knocks it down out of the air and feeds a streaking Komarov who has slipped behind the defence. Unfortunately Komarov is on the backhand and can’t handle the pass.

Another gorgeous shot

Matthews makes it 1-0 with his 31st goal of the year. pic.twitter.com/CbT7qtFfpT — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) March 1, 2017

Yet another example of that beautiful release in traffic. Also, a Josh Leivo appearance!

This is simply unfair

Auston Matthews: good at hockey. pic.twitter.com/Iy6JE2ZJW0 — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) March 3, 2017

I don’t even know what to say. Just enjoy that a few times.

Again victimizing a Kings player

Petition to play Gardiner, Nylander and Matthews for the rest of the game. pic.twitter.com/FdlxcN5FHu — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) March 3, 2017

I think he might have played well this game.

Near OT winner vs. the Kings

Matthews and Gardiner making things happen, but again Quick sprawls out to make the save. pic.twitter.com/kNX2azByTt — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) March 3, 2017

Okay he was on a mission.

Defence leading to offence 2.0

Matthews intercepts a (bad) pass in front of his own net, skates the puck into the offensive zone and then nearly scores on a wraparound. pic.twitter.com/rqE8vgaOQb — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) March 8, 2017

He’s in good position in the defensive zone to pick off an errant pass in front of his own net, then he skates it out himself all the way into the offensive zone. Then he picks it out of the moving pile behind the net around Niklas Kronwall and steps out front, nearly scoring. Just doing it all.

Making zone exit passes again

Zaitsev takes off up the middle to give Matthews an option, skates it out of the d zone, into the o zone, drives to the net, draws a penalty pic.twitter.com/Ief2NA2PD9 — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) March 8, 2017

Again providing the zone exit, this time to Nikita Zaitsev. I’d like to see Zaitsev use his speed to push play like this more often.

Showing off some vision

Matthews with a nice pass to Zaitsev, who gets a good shot off but is surprisingly stopped by Ward. pic.twitter.com/FyA8Ckav9l — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) March 12, 2017

I don’t see where he looked behind him to see Zaitsev, but he must have at some point because he hits him on the tape seemingly without even looking.

Defence leading to offence 3.0

Good backcheck from Matthews leads to a nice, clean exit/entry by Rielly/Nylander/Carrick. Great job of giving each other options. pic.twitter.com/xiKzTd1qKt — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) March 21, 2017

This is some pretty teamwork right here. Matthews scoops the puck up on the backcheck, who gives it to Rielly, who gives it to Nylander curling back into the zone with speed who gives it to Connor Carrick coming up the middle. Carrick then skates it to the offensive blueline, drawing the defenders toward him and dumping back over to Nylander along the boards in the zone.

More playmaking

Good play here by Matthews to set up Polak(?!) for a chance. Nice read by Polak as well to give Matthews the passing option. pic.twitter.com/xk7r371KUE — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) March 21, 2017

The little hesitation before Matthews rounds the back of the net gets Tuukka Rask down early. Matthews continues around the net where he finds a pinching Roman Polak! Polak takes the one-timer from a dangerous area, but unfortunately the puck doesn’t find the back of the net.

Scoring on the Sabres and Robin Lehner is a very good thing

Hunwick made a really nice play to keep the puck in immediately prior to Matthews' goal v BUF. Well deserved primary assist. pic.twitter.com/re2PA8GEau — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) March 28, 2017

I just like to watch sad Robin Lehner, really.

The most prolific rookie Leaf goal scorer of all-time

Matthews scores his 35th of the season, surpassing Wendel Clark's previous Leaf rookie record. pic.twitter.com/UseFr83VfI — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) March 29, 2017

On former Leaf James Reimer, no less! I hope this didn’t make James too sad though because he seems like a very nice person.

Playoffs Papi

From game two. Good forecheck from Hyman and Matthews leads to a chance for Nylander in alone on Holtby. pic.twitter.com/99rokh96DI — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) April 17, 2017

Good work by both Hyman and Matthews on the forecheck here before Matthews makes a really nice area pass to Nylander, but he’s robbed by Holtby. This is also a recurring GIF.

Dominating overtime

What a sequence from Matthews in double overtime. Couple takeaways and three shot attempts in ten seconds. pic.twitter.com/nsgJ788lOr — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) April 17, 2017

This is pure dominance in double overtime. This GIF is ten seconds and he steals the puck twice while also attempting three shots. This could’ve been such a great OT winner.

Did I mention he’s good at takeaways?

Matthews with another takeaway, gets it to Nylander who uses his edge work and puck control, gets it back to Matthews who whiffs on it. pic.twitter.com/9SU06zjNqf — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) April 17, 2017

Unfortunately this ends with Matthews missing the puck with an empty net, but it starts with another takeaway, this time on Evgeny Kuznetsov in the neutral zone.

Scoring on a one on three

One on two, bounce it off one defender's skate, off the other's face onto your own stick for the wide open net. Just as Matthews planned it. pic.twitter.com/Q4RDKVxUEp — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) April 18, 2017

This took some fortunate bounces and he deserves it because he worked very hard for it and he deserves the best.

Primary assist on Nylander’s first playoff goal

Hyman hard on the forecheck and Orpik/Shattenkirk both go to him behind the net leaving Nylander alone in front, where Matthews finds him. pic.twitter.com/GBZVTbAEQ7 — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) April 18, 2017

Hyman does his thing, going hard on the forecheck where Matthews follows in behind him. Nylander is left alone right in the slot and Matthews finds him, putting it right on his tape. Nylander is stopped on the first shot, but not the second.

Scoring in tight again

Matthews ties it at one after a great play from Nylander fending off Orlov (again) and getting the puck to the net. pic.twitter.com/KplsuUvlMM — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) April 22, 2017

Nylander makes a nice play to get it to the net while fending off Dmitri Orlov and Matthews is in his office. The puck comes loose and Matthews quickly takes it from backhand to forehand before roofing it over Braden Holtby. His hands in tight areas are extremely good.

Another takeaway

Matthews is Datsyuk-like in his ability to strip opponents of the puck. Here he works over Williams and sets up Hyman for a great chance. pic.twitter.com/3h3HDgFzLD — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) April 24, 2017

Again with the takeaways, I know, but this one is a little different than most of his. This one occurs in the corner and he uses his strength to knock Justin Williams off the puck before finding Hyman alone in the slot, who thinks he’s scored, but unfortunately has not.

Kuznetsov doesn’t want to play anymore

This time Matthews picks off an errant pass in the offensive zone and fires a shot which misses the glove side top corner. pic.twitter.com/clvKrIIq22 — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) April 24, 2017

He’s making a very good player look not very good again. This time he takes advantage of a bad attempted zone exit pass by Kuznetsov, quickly turning back toward the net and just missing the top corner.

Final playoff goal

What a finish by Matthews. Rolling puck and he drags it into his feet where he can just flip it straight up with the puck on its side. pic.twitter.com/jHDQkQcyKr — Dylan Fremlin (@DylanFremlin) April 24, 2017

This is really quite impressive considering the puck is rolling and Matthews uses it to his advantage. He basically scoops the puck up lacrosse style and flings it straight up over Holtby into the top corner of the net. Not a bad note to end your dream rookie season on.

These pieces are a blast to write and I plan on making several more. The next one will be a bit different in the sense that this particular player hasn’t actually played for the Leafs yet, but it should be a fun one.





