1st star – Auston Matthews
Matthews continues to terrorize goaltenders in pursuit of his 1st Rocket Richard trophy.
He found the back of the net nine times in just 10 games – and was absolutely full marks for it. Only six players recorded more shot attempts than Matthews (82) while he out-paced everyone in terms of scoring chances (51).
When a player with his shooting talent generates chances like that, he’s going to fill the net. It’s as simple as that.
While Matthews finished with an even goal differential at 5v5, the Maple Leafs recorded 35 more chances than they gave up with him on the ice (59.07 SCF%). His on-ice results probably should have been as impressive as his individual outputs.
Matthews is putting up goals, points, and solid peripheral stats in what – if he keeps it up – will start to garner him Hart Trophy consideration.
Matthews has 21 goals in his last 23 games, which is an insane 75 goal pace. No one has scored 60 in the NHL since Steve Stamkos did it in 2011, but Matthews needs 23 in the final 29 games to do so.
As for now, he’s the Toronto Maple Leafs first star for the month of January.