Matthews stealing pucks, Hart Trophy votes

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

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TSN Toronto Reporter Mark Masters reports on the Maple Leafs, who practised at Ford Performance Centre on Friday ahead of Saturday’s game against the Red Wings in Detroit.

Auston Matthews recorded six takeaways on Thursday night, including one that led directly to the game-winning goal. Minnesota's Brandon Duhaime picked up a loose puck just inside the Wild zone and appeared to have some space to carry it up ice. Matthews quickly closed the gap and lifted the stick of the 24-year-old forward. 

"You're five, six, seven strides behind and that takes a lot of effort to get to that spot," noted coach Sheldon Keefe. "When he's really determined he's usually coming up with the puck."

Matthews leads all National Hockey League forwards with 59 takeaways this season. Arizona's Clayton Keller is second with 51. 

"He's got a sneaky stick," observed linemate Mitch Marner. "I think a lot more people are really noticing it now. He's kind of got that Zorro play of quickly getting behind you and getting it off your stick and then turning the opposite way quickly."

That's exactly what happened on Thursday. Matthews delayed briefly to allow Michael Bunting to get out of the zone before executing a nice give-and-go with Marner. 

Isn't it beautiful