If you’re worried about Auston Matthews’ lack of goal scoring through the Maple Leafs’ first 13 games, here’s a suggestion:
Don’t stress too much.
True, Matthews has just five goals, a total that he breezed past a year ago when he opened the season with a hat trick in consecutive games.
And yes, five represents his lowest number of goals through the first 13 games in any of his nine National Hockey League seasons, though in three years he was sitting at six goals through a baker’s dozen.
As Matthews and the rest of the Leafs continue to adjust to playing for coach Craig Berube, the Toronto captain, offensively, has been doing just about everything but scoring with consistency.
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Before NHL games on Monday, Matthews was tied with David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins in shots on goal with 56, in all situations. At five-on-five, Matthews was tied for third with 34 shots.
The 27-year-old also was tied for third in high-danger chances at five-on-five with 19 (via ) and had an NHL-high 58 unblocked shot attempts.
Matthews’ career shooting percentage through 575 games is 16%. That has dipped this season to 8.9%, his lowest in any season (12.2% is his lowest in a full season). When Matthews scored a franchise-record 69 goals last year, his shooting percentage was a career-high 18.7%, marking one of three seasons he has finished higher than 18%.
With the chances Matthews is getting, this lack of production (by his standards) isn’t going to last. He’s on pace for 32 goals, which would be a career low. There’s no way he’s going to finish there.
And yes, Matthews is tied for the NHL lead in missed shots with 34. That’s nothing new. He led the league in missed shots last season with 165 when he otherwise was filling the net.
The Leafs’ futility on the power play isn’t going to last forever, either. Toronto simply has too much talent for the power play to falter through an entire season. When it does turn around from where it is now — 31st overall at 10% — Matthews will be at the forefront.
With the Bruins visiting Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday as the Leafs begin a four-game home stand, Matthews is on the cusp of breaking out. And perhaps it comes against the Leafs’ bitter Atlantic Division rivals, against whom he has 13 goals in 20 career games.
Would the Leafs have a couple more victories and not be sitting at 6-5-2 through 13 games had Matthews found the back of the net a few more times? Possibly.
But the Leafs had the same record last season through 13 games, when Matthews had 13 goals in that span.
Matthews will get his rewards and we’d bet it’s sooner rather than later. Sweating his lack of production right now is wasting energy.
BUILDING BLOCKS
Defenceman Chris Tanev contributed another four blocks in the overtime loss against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, bringing him to 45 on the season.
Tanev continues to lead the NHL in that category, as he has four more than defenceman Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames.
And no, Tanev’s consistent willingness to put his body in front of speeding rubber isn’t lost on Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz.
“Everyone thinks that the goalie is the only one who has to block a shot, but as a goalie, you appreciate the guys who go out there and do that night in, night out,” Stolarz said on Sunday night. “I know it’s not easy, especially with not as much equipment as I have. As a goalie, you take a lot of pride in your teammates that they are willing to do that for you and do it for the team.”
Jake McCabe also had three blocks against the Wild.
Said Berube: “It helps a lot. Our D are doing a great job of blocking shots. Big part of the game is being hard in front of your net.”
Matthews, by the way, was fourth among NHL forwards with 19 shot blocks.
LOOSE LEAFS
When William Nylander scored on the power play against the Wild, he moved into a tie with George Armstrong for seventh on the Leafs franchise list with 64 power-play goals. With his next goal during a Toronto man advantage, Nylander will tie Dave Keon for sixth with 65. Matthews has 95, good for third in team history. Mats Sundin holds the franchise record with 124, followed by Darryl Sittler with 120 … Berube on using five forwards on the power play against the Wild: “We’ve talked about it for a bit and decided to go with it.” … Pastrnak to reporters in Boston on Monday when asked about being benched for the entire third period during a 2-0 Bruins win against the Seattle Kraken on Sunday: “Take the responsibility of being better, but at the same time, I’m just moving forward and focusing on another game tomorrow. I never look back.” Pastrnak sat after turning the puck over, which eventually helped lead to a Kraken scoring chance late in the second period … The Leafs had a full day off on Monday, as is their custom following a back-to-back set.
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