Jeremy Roenick predicts Matthews & Leafs will get back into playoff contention: Leafs Morning Take
The Milan Games are now in the rear view mirror and the NHL is one sleep away from starting up again.
Just don’t tell that to Team USA, who are on the bender of the century following their gold medal win on Sunday. Auston Matthews and company, who were at a famed Miami nightclub on Monday night, are expected to be in D.C. on Tuesday afternoon at the White House for the President’s State of the Union address. Understandably so, their celebration has resembled a rock star tour, much similar to when teams win the Stanley Cup. It’s just weird because it’s happening in-season. At some point, these party animals will have to make a return to their respective NHL teams. Imagine the hangover. There are eight games around the league on Wednesday night —including Toronto’s crucial visit to Tampa.
With all that in mind, the conversation steered around the Leafs’ captain to kick off the Tuesday edition of Leafs Morning Take as Zack Phillips subbed in for Jay Rosehill. What should Matthews do? When should he link up with the team? Should people be pissed if he doesn’t play against the Lightning? Furthermore, we discussed the latest from Maple Leafs practice ahead of their back-to-back in Florida. For the first time since December 28th (lacerated kidney), Dakota Joshua is expected to make his return to the lineup. Also, Craig Berube did reveal after practice that he does expect Matthews to play against the Bolts. We’ll see what kind of state he’s in.
After that, Hockey Hall of Famer Jeremy Roenick stopped by the show to dish on Olympic Gold for Team USA. He hit on Sunday’s final, the ensuing celebration, and what the victory mean for U.S.A. hockey. Over and above all that, we zoned in on Matthews and what this all means for his career trajectory. JR thinks it’s up to the Matthews. He thought the U.S. captain was fantastic in Milan. Roenick really raved about Matthews’ defensive play. He thought he was a difference maker. Additionally, Roenick thinks Matthews and the Leafs can carry this momentum into the team’s final stretch of games. It will be an uphill battle but JR believes the Leafs will get back in playoff contention. For the record, if he were Matthews, he said he would do everything he could to play against Tampa.
The Olympic break is officially over. Coming up on the Wednesday edition of Leafs Morning Take, Jay Rosehill will be back in the mix as we preview Toronto’s visit to Tampa. Also, Sid Seixeiro, host of The Sid Seixeiro Show, will stop by to weigh in on the Leafs ahead of this pivotal stretch prior to the trade deadline.