Sometimes, you look at a player like the Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews and think, “That guy used to be untouchable.” And there’s no denying it. Matthews has hit 60-plus goals twice in his career, and four other times he’s cracked 40. He won the Rocket Trophy three times in four years.
Two years ago, he scored 69. It would take him more than a couple of seasons combined to reach that number. Fans and analysts are asking: What happened to the best goal-scorer in the NHL?
Analyst Blames Matthews’ Lack of Production on a Malfunctioning Team
Craig Button’s take is pretty simple. He points out that hockey isn’t singles tennis. In tennis, you’re responsible for your shots. Win or lose, that’s on you. In hockey, not so much. You rely on the teammates around you.
Matthews has lost his best playmaker, Mitch Marner. Put simply, the team around him isn’t giving him the chances he needs. It’s not surprising his goal scoring has dipped.
Toronto is spending too much time in the defensive zone. They’re often trapped back there, only breaking free for a centre ice faceoff after giving up a goal. Hard to rack up goals when you’re always running after the puck.
Matthews is elite. He’s a superstar. But even superstars aren’t immune to systems and support—or the lack thereof.
Matthews First Eight Seasons Were Lights Out
Looking at the bigger picture, Matthews’ first eight seasons were incredible: 268 goals in 562 games, ranking #1 in the league by a mile. Fast forward two years, and he’s now 28th in goals. He’s behind guys like Sam Reinhart and Seth Jarvis.
Given what’s happened to the Maple Leafs’ captain, it’s easy to panic. Still, as Craig reminds us, it’s just a blip. Injuries, lineups, teammates—these things happen. They don’t erase the fact that Matthews is still one of the NHL’s best finishers.
Right now, his shooting percentage is down at 11%, his worst in ten seasons. But fans shouldn’t worry. Matthews has put up numbers like this before, and the talent is still there. It’s not over. The question isn’t whether Matthews can score—it’s whether the Leafs can get him the ice and the help he needs to do it.
Matthews Is in a Drought, But Will It Last?
So, yes, Matthews may be in a drought. But a superstar like him? Give it time. The goals will come. At least one hockey analyst is convinced.
Related: Could Maple Leafs Gamble on the Talent of Elias Pettersson This Summer?
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