WINNIPEG — Auston Matthews isn’t putting too much thought into it.
In his 73 games last season, Matthews drew a grand total of 12 minors while playing five-on-five.“I’m just trying to move my feet when I have the puck, not invite contact, but guys play physical and that’s perfectly fine.
“It should give him a little more space over time because if he’s going to start getting those calls, the opponent is going to have to be a little more conscious of what they’re doing,” coach Sheldon Keefe said. Matthews had a maintenance day on Friday and was absent from practice. Among other things, he took a cross-check to the mid-section from Stars captain Jamie Benn on Thursday. Matthews stayed in the game against Dallas and set up Nick Robertson for the winner in overtime.
“He has looked tentative and hesitant to skate,” Keefe said. “That’s his No. 1 asset, is to move his feet, both with the puck and without the puck, to get involved. He hasn’t done that quite yet.”