On Matthews' ridiculous pace and a wild prediction from a rival head coach
It's been a stellar season for Auston Matthews and not only is he destined to win his 2nd straight Rocket Richard Trophy, but at this point, he also has to be the front runner for the Hart Trophy and perhaps the Ted Lindsay Award as well. Matthews is on pace to score 65 goals this season. Despite missing the Leafs' first 3 games due to a wrist injury and being suspended for another 2 for cross checking Rasmus Dahlin in the Heritage Classic.
With a hat trick in last night's game against Andrei Vasilevsky and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Auston Matthews has now tied with Leafs record holder Rick Vaive for the franchise lead in goals with 54.
Despite living through Ovechkin's prime as well as Steven Stamkos' 60-goal season, Matthews is putting up numbers that haven't been seen since Mario Lemieux in the 90s. He's that good. In a full 82-game season, Matthews would be on pace for 69 goals, which is nice but it's insane to think that despite off-season wrist surgery that caused him to miss training camp and the start of the season.
The 24-year-old is on pace for 65 goals. Which would not only crush Vaive's record, but could set a franchise record that may never be touched. Even Lightning head coach Jon Cooper thinks that what Matthews can do is unparalleled in today's game.
With 12 games left this season, Matthews just needs 1 goal to set a new franchise record and 6 goals to hit 60. Something that he's shown he can do in his sleep. He's playing the best stretch of hockey ever by a Leaf and it seems like nobody can slow down Papi at this moment. The big question is; is 70 actually within reach for the league's leading goal scorer?
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 5 | 359 ANSWERS On Matthews' ridiculous pace and a wild prediction from a rival head coach Will Matthews actually hit 70 goals this season? | ||
| Yes | 63 | 17.5 % |
| No | 175 | 48.7 % |
| He'll come very close | 121 | 33.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
