Analysts Sound the Alarm as Auston Matthews' Game Starts Trending in the Wrong Direction
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Auston Matthews hasn't looked the same as we have in previous years, and according to analysts he's currently trending in the opposite direction this season.
Last year we saw a much different Auston Matthews, though a lot of that had to do with the fact he was dealing with several injuries and he couldn't really find his stride, although still put up 33 goals.
Certainly it's not Matthews-esque, but there was a lot of hope coming into this season as he was healthy and had full reign over the offense now with Mitch Marner out of the picture.
Matthews' Early Struggles Are Starting to Draw Attention Inside Toronto
But he has only five goals through 11 games including two empty-net ones, and something feels very off with the Maple Leafs captain. He's not getting that quick shot off, he's not finding open space, and it's starting to get concerning.
Analysts Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne, and Sam McKee all believe there's an underlying issue with Matthews.
The trio passionately discussed what the issue could be on the Real Kyper and Bourne show recently:
Doesn't work hard. He's not working hard enough. He has been ineffective for how many games in a row now? Five? One five on five goal. I don't know what it is.
We saw it in that Leafs package, he had a one on one and he dragged it and shot it into the guy's ankles then changed; like there was no non-threatening chances whatsoever.
I don't know what's going on with #34 but it's a problem.
We saw it in that Leafs package, he had a one on one and he dragged it and shot it into the guy's ankles then changed; like there was no non-threatening chances whatsoever.
I don't know what's going on with #34 but it's a problem.
To say Matthews has been ineffective is underlying just how invisible he has been at times. You forget that there's a $13.25-million star on the ice, and while he's performing admirably on defense; where's the superstar talent gone?
Is Auston Matthews Saving His Best for When It Really Counts?
Matthew Knies has been a playmaking machine this year, and William Nylander leads the team in assists. Both men have been on Matthews' line and have had no impact on him, so when does it become a focus on the captain and not who's around him?
Yes there's rotating wingers on his right side, and perhaps some more stability would give him confidence knowing who he is running with each game, but it shouldn't matter who is with him, he should still score goals.
Maybe he's saving himself for when the team really needs him, and he could be trying to step back and let others try and get their groove first before coming in and leading them to glory.
There's always a chance he's saving himself for when it matters but if he doesn't start leading by example soon, that slow start could turn into an even more glacial season.
But as they sit in the basement of the Atlantic, with several questions still needing to be answered, there's one that sticks out above the rest.
When is Auston Matthews going to start playing like Auston Matthews?
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