Matthews scored so often that it's noticeable when the superstar doesn't find the back of the net.
Matthews scored so often that it's noticeable when the superstar doesn't find the back of the net.
In February it seemed it was the expectation, and not hope, from the Toronto Maple Leafs that start center Auston Matthews would find the back of the net.
When Matthews returned to his home in Arizona for his game against the Coyotes, his teammates expressed an expectation that he would score his 50th goal that night.
He scored twice that night.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9x7rasjYUg[/embed]
But after scoring 13 goals in 12 games in February, Matthews has just one goal through five games in March.
"I mean, stuff like that happens sometimes," Matthews said following practice on Monday. "The puck's not just going to go in all the time. I thought there were some good things. Obviously, I want to produce. I want to help the team and do my part."
Matthews leads the NHL with 54 goals and his red-hot February led many to wonder if the player could get to 70 goals in a season. If he does it, he'd be the first player to do since Teemu Selanne and Alex Mogilny each scored 76 during the 1992-93 season.
Matthews has certainly had his opportunities and he's currently on pace to finish at 69 goals this season.
"He had at least two, maybe three, but certainly two, fairly clean chances where he was basically in alone on the goalie in Boston and those didn't fall for him," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "Obviously, things have fallen a lot for him this season and they will again. Somewhat of a historic type of pace that he was on is historic for a reason, because it's difficult to maintain."
There's also something to be said about the type of playoff vibe that the games ahead will take on, where space on the ice becomes a luxury. That was evident in a pair of physical contests against the Boston Bruins, a potential playoff opponent for the Leafs this spring.
"Two out of four games through the week, especially against some tough competition, a couple of those games and points that we'd like maybe back," Matthews said. "It's an important time of the year for our team and trying to build ourselves individually and collectively as a group as we wind down toward the end of the season."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nECIkb7KQuE[/embed]
Staying on line with Tyler Bertuzzi and Willliam Nylander
With Mitch Marner remaining day-to-day with a lower-body injury and unlikely to play, Keefe appears to be sticking with having Tyler Bertuzzi and William Nylander as his wingers. They were the worst line in Toronto's 3-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday and Keefe said they "weren't very good". If the trio struggles against the Philadelphia Flyers, perhaps the line will get broken up and that might help Matthews bring out more offense.
Related
News from THN.com
New Jersey Devils to Hunt for a Goaltender This Summer
NHL Three Stars: The GM Trio That Shined Brightest at the Deadline
Which NHL Teams Are the Ultimate Stanley Cup Contenders After the Trade Deadline?