Auston Matthews, the 5v5 king, is anything but that this season and it's concerning
It's difficult to define this year's Maple Leafs. The team has a winning record despite losing both of their starting goaltenders and Jake Muzzin to injury, but something seems off. The group just isn't their dominant selves in the early going this year. It's an issue for the whole lineup, starting at the top.
Auston Matthews, the king of 5v5 scoring since he entered the league, has been struggling to find the net at even strength. And when I say struggling, I mean struggling. Matthews only has 4 points through 16 games at 5v5, 2 of them goals. Among Leafs forwards, he is tied for 6th in even strength points. That is simply not good enough for the reigning Rocket, Hart and Ted Lindsay winner. The Leafs go as Matthews does and their middling record of late is a direct result of his struggles to start the season.
Now, I'm not worried about Matthews finding his footing. He got off to a slow start last season and was still by far the most prolific scorer in the league. The good news is that it doesn't seem to be a lack of effort. Matthews just isn't as crisp as he usually is, he's bobbling pucks, double clutching on shots and his aim is just a tad off. Once he gets back into a rhythm, the goals and points will start piling up again.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 13 | 449 ANSWERS Auston Matthews, the 5v5 king, is anything but that this season and it's concerning Will Auston Matthews be able to turn his season around and increase his 5v5 production? | ||
| No, he's having an off year | 74 | 16.5 % |
| Yes - it's Auston Matthews.. | 375 | 83.5 % |
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