Auston Matthews Finally Breaks Silence on Playoff Scoring Drought
Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews commented on his goalless streak as the team heads into Game 5 needing him to get things going.
All eyes are firmly set on Toronto and Florida's game on Wednesday night, as the Maple Leafs try to take a 3-2 lead in the series and avoid needing to claw back against the reigning champs while in enemy territory.
It's going to be a heated affair for sure, and with how the end of Game 4 turned out, there's a lot of animosity in the air, with both sides taking not only potshots at each other, but literal ones as well.
However, one of the main stories coming out of the Florida series is how ice cold Auston Matthews has been.
While he wasn't a goal scoring menace like he was last season (he only had 35 this year), he's barely made a dent and it's not a good sign.
Toronto needs him to be the best version of himself, and while it's all fine and dandy that the captain is becoming a more complete player, he needs to score and three goals in 10 playoff games isn't cutting it.
He's aware of this too, and speaking to reporters ahead of Game 5, touched on his goalless streak and how he feels during the rut:
The chances have been there. I think I just gotta do a better job at bearing down on some of them.
For the most part throughout the four games we've been winning shifts, generating chances against tough matchups.
Obviously, you wanna score. I wanna score. But we'll continue to get those opportunities and capitalize and go from there.
For the most part throughout the four games we've been winning shifts, generating chances against tough matchups.
Obviously, you wanna score. I wanna score. But we'll continue to get those opportunities and capitalize and go from there.
Auston Matthews' Physical And Mental Battle With Scoring This Postseason
Not for nothing, but with how Matthews suddenly went from 69-goal phenom to average is something that needs a second look. Missing 15 games due to injury, he's dealt with some ailments that have affected his shot.
But it's not just physical for the captain. He seems to be overthinking things and trying to place the puck in a perfect spot as opposed to wiring it on net with his quick release.
Take this one-timer opportunity for example. Matthews takes a couple extra seconds to shoot as opposed to firing a one-timer or slap shot past Sergei Bobrovsky.
That isn't typical of Matthews, and it's a worrying sign considering he doesn't have many chances left to get it figured out.
He's done well this postseason statistically still, but is definitely adding more of a playmaker role to his new defensive responsibilities.
In 10 games, he has 10 points, but only two goals. That's less than Morgan Rielly and ties him with Max Domi; a player who is often chastised for his lack of offense.
Toronto has a minimum of two games left, with a maximum of three. That's roughly 64 minutes of ice time total given his TOI this postseason.
Is that enough for Matthews, who has missed the most shots this year in the playoffs, to get it going? Knowing how much Craig Berube enjoys using him on defense, is he even going to be afforded the opportunity to?
All we know is that Game 5 takes place from Scotiabank Arena, both teams are deadlocked in a series tie, and Toronto is feeling the pinch when it comes to proving people wrong.
But no one is feeling it more than Auston Matthews, who can't afford to be unproductive during his most successful season to date, or he's certainly going to hear about it for a long time.
| POLL | ||
MAI 13 | 920 ANSWERS Auston Matthews Finally Breaks Silence on Playoff Scoring Drought Do you think Auston Matthews is dealing with an injury causing his substandard play? | ||
| Yes | 661 | 71.8 % |
| No | 259 | 28.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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