from Michael Traikos of the National Post,

After receiving a two-game suspension for crosschecking Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin in the neck on Monday, you can bet that the two-time runner-up for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy won’t get any votes this year for “sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.” Then again, it might be worth it if it means that Matthews is done taking any more crap from opponents.

This is what the Toronto Maple Leafs need. More importantly, this is what Matthews needs in order to take his Hart Trophy game to the next level.

We all know he can score. And we know he can put up points. But after nearly taking Dahlin’s head off with a vicious crosscheck, opponents also know that Matthews also has a temper.

For someone who is 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, that can be even more intimidating than what the Rocket Richard Trophy leader can do with the puck on his stick.

Matthews might never play like Wendel Clark or Doug Gilmour did, that’s not his game, that’s not who he is. But at the very least, he now appears more willing to use his size and strength in a way that he hasn’t before.

Consider it a warning.

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