UNLUCKY SEVEN
Leafs’ Matthews looks to find net
TORONTO When Mike Babcock chats hockey with Auston Matthews, he’s not getting the sense his star-in-waiting is becoming antsy. The Leafs will play host to the Philadelphia Flyers Friday night — the only time during the 2016-17 season the Leafs are scheduled to play on a Friday at the Air Canada Centre — and the 19-year-old Matthews will try to put a seven-game goalless streak to bed.
Matthews’ linemates also are cold. William Nylander has a similar skid of seven games without a goal and Zach Hyman has just one assist in 13 games.
“We talk about that stuff,” Babcock said. “I don’t know if it’s frustration at all.
“They are playing in the NHL. I think in Matthews’ situation, we could put him on the wing with a really good player and it would be way easier for him, but that’s not what we want to do and that’s not what he wants to do.
“It’s harder to be a dominant centre in the league at 19 than it is to be a winger, for sure.”
Nylander leads the Leafs with 12 points; Matthews is second with 11.
“I think they are doing pretty good,” Babcock said. “There will be ebbs and flows, you just want your ups to be a lot longer than your downs.”
HALL THOUGHTS
Babcock was glad the late Pat Quinn will be going into the Hockey Hall of Fame this weekend in the builder category.
“Pat was a gentleman and a great, great man,” Babcock said. “I remember him well with the Olympics, but mostly as the Leafs coach.
“He cared about people, was a great man and a smart man and he had that big presence about him, but was a kind person. It’s great for him.”
Hyman recalled Hall inductee Eric Lindros’ days with the Flyers.
“So big and strong, I remember in the playoffs, he could take over games with his strength and he was pretty quick for a big guy,” Hyman said. “He had it all. He is deserving of the honour of going to the Hall.”
During the warmup Friday night, the Flyers will wear No. 88 sweaters.
LOOSE LEAFS
Babcock not only likes the progress Morgan Rielly has made, but also gave a shoutout to Nikita Zaitsev. The latter is a Leaf on a one-year deal and will be a restricted free agent next summer. Figure on the Leafs trying to lock him up on a longer deal at some point. “We did not expect Zaitsev to be where he is right now,” Babcock said. “We knew he was a good player and was going to have good traction, but we think the two of them with experience will turn into a real good pair for us.” … Matt Hunwick, on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, practised again Thursday and Babcock said the team will have a clearer idea of the defenceman’s status after the morning skate Friday. … About two hours after practice ended, a lone figure took to the ice at the MasterCard Centre, taking shots on the shooter tutor. That was Leafs president Brendan Shanahan, undoubtedly getting preparation going for the Detroit Red Wings-Leafs alumni game as part of the Centennial Classic festivities.