The Maple Leafs got offense from just about everybody but Auston Matthews continues to drive his club to their peak.
The Maple Leafs got offense from just about everybody but Auston Matthews continues to drive his club to their peak.
LAS VEGAS — The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to be in awe of Auston Matthews as the superstar continues his torrid scoring pace.
The Scottsdale, Arizona native scored his 52nd goal of the season in his team's 7-3 defeat of the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.
Matthews scored his 10th goal in his last five games in scoring his team's last goal of the game, ending any sort of attempt at a Vegas comeback.
"He just always finds different ways to make it happen," Maple Leafs captain John Tavares said of Matthews. "Maybe he didn’t have as many quality looks as he has. Just the poise he shows on a rush like that and gives it up to drive the net. And a nice play by Bergy (Pontus Holmberg). Just the subtle hands like that, the way he finds ways to score."
Matthews scored his 52nd goal in 55 games and is on pace for over 76 goals if he can keep it up. But what has impressed his teammates in addition to scoring is his defensive play.
"I think he should be in the Selke conversation, too," Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe said. "The guy’s stick is unbelievable. He’s super responsible defensively going back for pucks. He’s always there for an out. He plays a complete 200-foot game. I think that definitely gets overshadowed with the goal-scoring."
The Maple Leafs got spread-out scoring from Tavares, McCabe, David Kampf, and two goals from Max Domi in addition to Matthews.
Domi has spent the last couple of games skating on the team's second line with Tyler Bertuzzi and William Nylander and has been inspired by Matthews' play as of late.
"He’s so hungry every time he steps on the ice, you think he’s going to score,' Domi said of Matthews. That’s just the mindset. He’s got so much confidence right now. He’s one of the, if not the best players in the world as of right now. It’s great to see.
"He’s driving the bus right now. Super happy for him. Fifty-two goals in however many games he’s played is insane. It’s absolutely ridiculous. Stuff like that provides a lot of energy for the group when you have a guy like that that's on fire, it’s just contagious. Everyone’s excited for him and so excited to go and help him.
The Maple Leafs picked up their sixth consecutive victory on Thursday and have a chance to extend it to seven against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. If they pull it off, it would be their longest winning streak in 21 years.
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