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Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews Is About to Start Scoring

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 26: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his 60th goal of the season during an NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings at Scotiabank Arena on April 26, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Red Wings 3-0. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 26: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his 60th goal of the season during an NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings at Scotiabank Arena on April 26, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Red Wings 3-0. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews only has one goal in his first four games, but funny enough, this is normal.

We always remember Auston Matthews as a fast-starter, after he scored four goals in his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016, but that’s not always been the case.

Surprisingly enough, even in his most successful seasons, he’s started somewhat slow.

In the team’s first four games, the top-line has not scored.  This was one of the best lines in hockey, but for whatever reason, they haven’t had the same juice as last year. That will definitely likely change though, as shown by Matthews’ previous seasons. and his incredible numbers despite not scoring. 

Speaking of which, this is Matthews’ last two years:

  • 2021-22 Season (via: hockeyreference.com):
    • 1 goal in first six games
    • Finished with 60 goals in 73 games
  • 2020-21 Season:
    • 1 goal in first four goals
    • Finished with 41 goals in 52 games

Look at his 2021-22 season. He had one(!!) goal in his first six games and then had 59 goals in his next 67 games, while healing from off-season wrist surgery. Even during the 2020-21 campaign, he rallied off 40 goals in his next 48 games, which is insane.

Those aren’t hot-streaks that just happen out of the blue. Matthews is the best goal-scorer in the NHL and it’s extremely clear from his numbers that the puck is going to start going in for him.

The Toronto Maple Leafs Franchise Player Will Still Win the Rocket

Matthews is averaging  over 5 shots per game, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have nearly doubled the oppositions shot totals while he is on the ice.

The Leafs have owned Matthews’ minutes, but have only won them by a single goal so-far.

After going goalless against his hometown team and ultimately losing to them 4-2 at home, I’d expect Matthews to be the best player on the ice on Thursday night against the Dallas Stars.

I know that’s not really a hot take, but with two full days of rest in-between games and having not scored a signature goal this year, Matthews is going to destroy the Stars.

Matthews’ only goal this year was a redirection, so we still haven’t seen his wrist shot reach the back of the net, or have seen him power his way to the net to score. However, that’s going to change against the Stars.

The Hart Trophy winner has 21 shots in four games, so he’s been getting pucks to the net, but they’re just not going in, yet.

Stars’ goaltender Jake Oettinger has been nearly perfectly in three starts, only allowing three goals, but this Leafs offense will be his biggest test of the year. Toronto doesn’t want to have another stinker, especially on home-ice, so look for this to be a potentially high-scoring affair.

If you’re scared about Matthews and the rest of the team, don’t be.

dark. Next. Is Michael Bunting Worth a Monster Extension?

Early struggles are normal and your record or the amount of goals you score in the first month don’t matter. This team is going to be fine and they’ll rebound against the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.

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