The Auston Matthews tour hits Xcel Energy Center tonight at 7.
In Winnipeg last night, the No. 1 overall pick was one-upped (three-upped, actually) by the No. 2 overall pick, Patrik Laine.
Laine, who tied the score in the final minute of the third period after goalie Frederk Andersen inexplicably skated to International Falls to play a point a shot that never came, completed his first career hat trick in overtime after Matthews was stopped at the other end.
This should be quite a Calder race between these two special players.
"A lot of speed, man," coach Bruce Boudreau said of the Leafs. "They can go. Everybody's dangerous, and they'll be more dangerous when they blow a 4-0 lead in the third. I think they might be a little [ticked]."
Please give my feature in today's paper on Matthews a read. Some good stuff in there, including from Laine, Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello and Senators associate coach Marc Crawford.
"He's going to score goals," Boudreau said. "He's a big, strong kid, he doesn't mind the traffic. I've never seen him live, but the second goal he scored against Ottawa was pure skill. ... You know you're going to have to watch him anytime on the ice. ... Him, and [William] Nylander, Nydlander's a great passer and a great young player, too. You can't get outnumbered by these guys."
Yesterday's blog was indeed accurate. Matt Dumba is the lineup casualty with Christian Folin playing well and Boudreau wanting to give Mike Reilly a second chance.