Auston Matthews “down year” is great news for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Auston Matthews is having a “down year” but it could be the best thing that’s ever happened for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Auston Matthews is currently scoring at a rate of 0.53 goals per game, which is much lower than his previous averages with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Not only was his past season the greatest in team history, but his past two campaigns have been world-class, but unsustainable.

In 125 games over two seasons, Matthews had 101 goals, which is a 66-goal season average. That’s insane numbers. At his current pace, if Matthews would have stayed healthy for all 82 games, he was on pace for 43 goals. That type of season is a career-high for most, but for Matthews, it would have been average at best.

So, why would I think that a below-average Matthews season is the best thing that’s happened to the Leafs?

Well, it’s pretty obvious.

Last year’s run was magical. Every game was meaningful and the idea that Matthews could hit 60-plus goals was something we’ve never seen from a Leafs’ player. Although it was pretty certain the team was going to play Tampa Bay in the First Round, everyone was tuned into each regular season game until the very end, because they wanted to witness history.

Auston Matthews will be at his best in Stanley Cup Playoffs

That type of pressure is exciting as a fan, but as a player, it’s grueling.

Instead of using the last bit of the regular season to rest, Matthews had pressure on him every single night. Every goal that he scored was a part of Leafs’ history and every point he registered gave him a better chance to win the Hart Trophy.

With roughly 20 games left in the regular season, Matthews has a zero percent chance to win an award this year and the same applies to his teammates. There’s no extra pressure weighing on the team right now as they get ready for the playoffs.

As a result, the team and Matthews specifically can just work on getting better and rested for the biggest games of the season. I know Matthews scored four goals and registered nine points in seven playoff games last year, but you have to assume he was tired by the time the playoffs started and his performance can improve this year.

That type of pressure to break records and win awards weighs on you and not having those emotions every night before the post-season, should free him up for the start of the playoffs. The playoffs are enough pressure, especially for a team who hasn’t won a playoff round in 19 years so that extra weight leading up was probably too much to ask of Matthews last year.

With zero pressure between now and Game 1, look for Auston Matthews to be the Toronto Maple Leafs’ best player during their playoff run this year.