John Matisz

Hamilton

Senior NHL Writer at TheScore

Senior NHL writer for @theScore. Member of @ThePHWA. [email protected]

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Articles

10 thoughts on Maple Leafs-Panthers ahead of all-important Game 5

1 day ago | thescore.com | John Matisz

Tied 2-2, the Maple Leafs and Panthers series has become a best-of-three battle. Here are 10 Toronto-Florida thoughts to preview Wednesday's Game 5. Auston Matthews has impacted this series in a positive way. The Leafs are outscoring the Panthers 5-2 in his five-on-five minutes, and his most common opponent, Aleksander Barkov, has been held to one even-strength point. Yet, Matthews has underwhelmed overall.
Each Canadian playoff team's reasons for optimism, pessimism

5 days ago | thescore.com | John Matisz

A Canadian team hasn't won the Stanley Cup in 32 years, but the second round of the 2025 playoffs is providing hope. Toronto leads its series with Florida, 2-1, Edmonton's up 2-0 over Vegas, and Winnipeg's tied 1-1 with Dallas. Below, we discuss reasons for optimism and pessimism for the three Canadian clubs. Optimistic view: Toronto dictated the style and pace of play in Games 1 and 2 - two wins - and held its own in a Game 3 overtime loss.
2 keys to victory for Maple Leafs in Game 2 versus Panthers

1 week ago | thescore.com | John Matisz

It wasn't a flawless performance, but the Maple Leafs held off a late charge by the Panthers on Monday night to win Game 1 of the second-round series 5-4. Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz left around the midway point after taking two hits to the head - a mask-rattling Sam Reinhart wrist shot in the first period and an unpenalized Sam Bennett elbow in the second. Stolarz was seen vomiting at Toronto's bench before getting pulled and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
NHL Inbox: Who should Sharks draft? Sabres' main issue? Cup winner traits?

1 week ago | thescore.com | John Matisz

Welcome to NHL Inbox, a monthly forum in which readers can ask me anything hockey related and I try my best to deliver an insightful answer. Note: the questions below were lightly edited for clarity and brevity. phonyspoon asks: If my Sharks win the draft lottery again, who should they draft? I've heard of the offensive prowess of players like Michael Misa and James Hagens, but SJ needs defense. Should they go for Matthew Schaefer?
Pressure mounting: What Leafs need to do in Game 6 to eliminate Sens

2 weeks ago | thescore.com | John Matisz

The Maple Leafs' record in closeout games since 2018 fell to 1-13 on Tuesday, as the Senators staved off elimination for a second time in four days. The Eastern Conference first-round series, now 3-2 for Toronto, resumes Thursday in Ottawa. Beyond shedding the much-talked-about mental "playoff demons," what can the Leafs do to finish off the Sens? Let's dig in. Nobody has scored more regular-season goals than Auston Matthews since he entered the NHL in 2016.
5 battles that'll determine Game 5 of Leafs-Senators series

2 weeks ago | thescore.com | John Matisz

The Ottawa Senators avoided an opening-round sweep Saturday night with a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here are five battles to monitor in Tuesday night's Game 5 at Scotiabank Arena. Heading into Monday's games, the Sens ranked 16th out of 16 playoff teams in one important category: inner-slot shots.
6 Battle of Ontario thoughts ahead of pivotal Game 3

3 weeks ago | thescore.com | John Matisz

The Maple Leafs have a 2-0 lead in a playoff series for the first time since 2002, and the Senators are hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2017. The ever-entertaining Battle of Ontario resumes Thursday night at the Canadian Tire Centre. Here are six thoughts on the matchup heading into Game 3. Everything in this series, which began with 6-2 and 3-2 Leafs victories in Toronto, flows downstream from the talent gap at forward.
These Senators have 'been through some shit,' but hope's finally here

3 weeks ago | thescore.com | John Matisz

Thomas Chabot scanned Madison Square Garden, absorbing the action with a quiet focus. It was May 5, 2024, the Rangers and Hurricanes were engaged in Game 1 of a second-round playoff series, and Chabot was in street clothes, watching from an MSG seat like any other paying customer. Throughout the game, Chabot ran the gamut of emotions alongside his wife, Marion. The career Senators defenseman felt jealous. Pissed off. Weird. Out of place.
For young on-ice officials, the learning curve is steep but rewarding

1 month ago | thescore.com | John Matisz

Every June, the NHL takes over LECOM Harborcenter, the Buffalo Sabres' practice facility, to hold its scouting combine. With the draft a few weeks away, dozens of prospects undergo a series of fitness tests in front of general managers and other team staff before speaking to a swarm of reporters. The NHL returns to Harborcenter every August.
GOAT goal-scorer: Ovechkin's legacy is one of sheer force and authenticity

1 month ago | thescore.com | John Matisz

Defenseman Mike Komisarek fired a breakout pass to partner Roman Hamrlik early in a Canadiens-Capitals game Feb. 18, 2009. The puck missed its target at Montreal's blue line and scooted into a largely empty neutral zone. Alex Ovechkin, 23 years old and in his fourth NHL season, smelled blood. The Capitals winger met the puck near the red line and backhanded it off the boards while spinning 180 degrees to avoid Hamrlik.