Auston Matthews may have scored the equalizer against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night, but his gesture after the goal may be something he ultimately regrets. Whether it was a taunt or an acknowledgment of his and the team’s poor play for most of the sixty minutes, Matthews has not shown the kind of play this season that will allow him to back up what looks and sounds like a cocky response to the fans turning on the team.
After nearly 40 minutes of lifeless hockey, Leafs Nation had seen enough. They were vocally cheering for the team, making it very clear that their lackluster efforts were not appreciated. This team has to take care of it. It should be better. Fans pay way too much money for a Matthews-led group to make calls.
Then, out of nowhere, the Leafs scored twice in eight seconds. Matthews responded to the boos at Scotiabank Arena by putting his hand to his ear — a move that immediately turned frustration into controversy.
Will fans forgive and forget, or hold Matthews accountable?
The Toronto Maple Leafs won the game, beating Chicago by two goals and escaping with a 3-2 win. After the game, Matthews responded to the boos, potentially putting him in the crosshairs of the fan base.
He said, “It’s just good to get that…I was just completely in the moment.” He then added: “The boo birds came down, rightfully so. I think after that first goal the crowd really got into it, which is great, and after the second one the place was rocking.”
In a way, it’s excellent that Matthews recognizes the fans’ right to boo. It has been far too long since most of the team took responsibility for the way they have played. Matthews in particular seems to be avoiding talking and addressing the discomfort that his and the team’s poor play is causing.
Related: Maple Leafs clock is ticking on Matthews and Berube
Fans chased the team off the ice after the first period and head coach Craig Berube made it clear he wasn’t impressed either. Matthews’ gesture to the fans suggested he didn’t appreciate it. His post-game comments seem to twist the story a bit, but he has now opened the door to having to back up his actions as well as his words.
Can Matthews actually support this?
It’s one thing to score a goal late in a match. That’s what Matthews is supposed to do, and he paid a lot of money for it. It’s another to keep it going, which he hasn’t done for most of this season.
The pinna gesture felt less like confidence and more like defiance – and that’s a dangerous look he was anything but expecting from the Matthews fans. This goodwill he may have earned will only last a moment as he comes out flat again.
That’s the bigger question: Does Auston Matthews’ play this season give him the job he needs to fully win back the fans?
Yes, he is still one of the league’s top scorers. Yes, he can change a game in an instant. But there have been too many nights where the Leafs’ best player hasn’t pushed himself early, hasn’t driven five-on-five and hasn’t elevated those around him when things get awkward.
If Matthews wants to calm the crowd, there’s really only one way to do it, and it’s not with gestures. In fact, what he did only further infuriated fans, with many now wondering if that’s what it will take to get Matthews to play his game.
Until then, taunting the fans might feel good right now, but it’s a gamble. And right now, Leafs Nation isn’t feeling particularly forgiving.
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