Auston Matthews
One may find it weird to have one of the best players on the team, or really in the entire league, in Auston Matthews as part of this category.
After all, doesn’t he always produce big time on a nightly basis in helping the team win? Well, the fact is we have all been spoiled to see Matthews dominating the opposition night in and night out and scoring at a more than 1.3 points a game pace in recent years.
However, his unfortunate run into injuries for much of the first half of the 2024-25 NHL season has ultimately limited his explosiveness for the most part.
As a result of various upper body ailments, it has led to his uncharacteristic low goal-scoring total of 14 goals to rank fourth on the team, while registering just about a point a game thus far. (All stats from NHL.com and hockey-reference.com)
Nevertheless, Matthews has begun to look stronger and stronger since coming back from his most recent ailment five games ago. In those five matches, he has posted 3 goals and 5 assists and 13 shots on goal, while looking more and more like his usual self in the process.
As Matthews looks to put his health issues pretty much in the rear mirror now, look for him to explode in a big way in the second half to make up for lost time.
By the end of the season, it wouldn’t be a surprise if we end up seeing him in his rightful place once again as the Leafs goal scoring leader, along with dominantly leading them to another playoff berth as well.