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Toronto Maple Leafs: Matthews Playoff Performance Dominant

By James Tanner

Apr 4, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) skates against the Washington Capitals at the Air Canada Centre. Washington defeated Toronto 4-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) skates against the Washington Capitals at the Air Canada Centre. Washington defeated Toronto 4-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have surprised many observers by keeping pace with the Washington Capitals.

Forgetting the question of whether or not anyone should actually be surprised,  one the reasons the Toronto Maple Leafs have given such fits to the #1 seed is the play of rookie Auston Matthews.

Matthews led the NHL in 5v5 goals this season, is a shoe-in to win the Calder Trophy and the only player he had less goals in total than was Sidney Crosby (who he most likely will be matched up against in the second round).

So, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Matthews is perhaps the best player in a series that features Alex Ovechkin, even if he is just 19.

Perhaps it is just that players usually need a few years to develop; even good ones.  Maybe it’s just that it’s the Leafs and we have zero expectations for anything. Who knows?  But I don’t think even the Toronto Maple Leafs most optimistic fan thought Auston Matthews would be this good, this fast.

First, he’s been a dominant possession player.  Matthews has a 55% possession rating over the first five games of the season.  Those are elite numbers, by the way.

Toronto Maple Leafs:  Matthews Better than Advertised

Defensively, when Matthews is on the ice, the Capitals (the NHL’s best team) average 27.82 shots/60 (5v5).  To put that in perspective, Vancouver, Arizona and New Jersey are the only teams that averaged less than 28 shots per game this season.  (And spoiler alert: he’s not even the best on the team in this regard).

That’s right: The Leafs ROOKIE centre turns the power-house capitals into the Canucks when he’s on the ice.   And we haven’t even talked about offense.

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The Best offensive team in the NHL averaged 33.34 shots/60 this past season. While Matthews is on the ice, the Leafs average 34 shots.   What we’re seeing is that Matthews is basically turning the Leafs into the Penguins and the Capitals into the Canucks when he hits the ice.

It’s insane.

Matthews has 2 goals and an assist so far.  Considering his peripherals, that’s low.  He has no PP points.   That’s just unlucky.

But also encouraging. If you’re the Leafs, you should like your chances knowing that your best player is dominating and not scoring – because it’s like a valve that’s getting read to blow.

Like his rookie seasons, Matthews playoff performance has been nothing short of miraculous.

If there is one thing Babcock has done wrong though, it’s this:

Five Toronto Maple Leafs forwards have more ice time in the series than Matthews does.

Gotta fix that.

all stats corsica.hockey

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