TORONTO – Auston Matthews does now not agree he deserved a two-game suspension for cross-checking Buffalo Sabres defenceman Rasmus Dahlin within the neck.
“I used to be a bit bit dissatisfied. A bit of bit greater than I used to be anticipating,” Matthews informed newshounds Friday, after serving his first NHL suspension.
“I acknowledge, as a participant, I gotta be in regulate of my stick. My intent used to be by no means to catch Dahlin up prime. However I did. I made a mistake. I acknowledge that merits some form of punishment. I simply concept two video games used to be so much.”
Uncharacteristic of the two-time Woman Byng finalist, Matthews reached a boiling level overdue in Sunday’s 5-2 loss to Buffalo throughout the Heritage Vintage. A net-front positional struggle with fellow first-overall draft pick out Dahlin escalated and culminated with Matthews turning in a forceful cross-check immediately to Dahlin’s neck.
In spite of Matthews’ squeaky blank file and Dahlin keeping off harm, the celebrity used to be dinged for 2 video games and $116,402.50 in wage.
Matthews had no real interest in diving into main points of Monday’s listening to with the dept of participant protection.
“There’s all the time going to be two critiques,” he mentioned. “I noticed it a definite manner. Clearly, they noticed it a distinct manner.”
In spite of serving his two-game suspension this week and lacking 3 video games at first of the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ most sensible centre continues to be on tempo to protect his Rocket Richard Trophy with a 61-goal marketing campaign.
Matthews will take a five-goal cushion over Leon Draisaitl and Chris Kreider within the goal-scoring race into Nashville on Saturday.
The megastar’s teammates had been similarly pissed off via his ban, however gained “two truly whole video games” (Matthews’ phrases) in his absence, defeating Dallas and Carolina at house this week.
“We are dissatisfied. We are not looking for him to leave out any video games or suppose he will have to,” mentioned captain John Tavares. “There is not any intent from his finish. He’s simply competing laborious, and simply one thing unlucky came about.”
Significantly, the Maple Leafs advanced to 27-14-2 all-time with out Matthews within the lineup.
The workforce’s MVP spent the week practicing and figuring out with the Maple Leafs construction workforce to stick sharp.
“I’m satisfied to be again. It’s been an extended week, however I’m satisfied to be taking part in the next day,” Matthews mentioned. “It’s tricky. You’re taking part in each different night time, then you definitely take a seat for just about a complete week.
“There’s not anything like taking part in video games and stepping into there. I sense there will probably be a bit rust.”
The Maple Leafs will input Saturday’s recreation in Nashville one level again of the Tampa Bay Lightning for 2nd seed within the Atlantic Department. Matthews’ go back additionally marks the membership’s ultimate recreation ahead of Monday’s industry cut-off date.
“It’s all the time a unusual time. You by no means know what to anticipate,” Matthews mentioned. “Everybody here’s truly assured in our team.
“Those demanding situations make you at an advantage ultimately.”
