Something has shifted in Auston Matthews' game, just look at the numbers
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
We're starting to see a different Auston Matthews over the past few games, and while it's a small sample size; he's certainly starting to show some flashes of old.
Thursday night felt like a throwback at least when it came to Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. Not only did he show glimpses of the shot we've grown accustomed to, he managed his first hat-trick of the year; a game-winning one at that.
It's been a different look from Matthews over the past few games, and we're getting the sense that perhaps the old Auston is back in the fold.
Auston Matthews is back? New stats show it's very possible
Plus, if you take a look at his stats over the last few games; it's night and day compared to where he has been:
Matthews is absolutely crushing it as of late, getting not only more touches in the offensive zone (where you need to score) but he's throwing a ton of shots at the net, doing it in high-danger areas, and actually putting the puck in.
Averaging over six shots over the last three, Matthews has scored eight points in that span (4 goals, 4 assists) and also blocking two shots.
While his shot speed hasn't drastically increased, it was a welcome sight to see that Matthews' second of the night wasn't just a rebound or deflection, but prime AM34:
Matthews needs to keep this up and prove the doubters wrong
Let's be clear here, this is a small sample size as it's only three games and there are always going to be ebbs and flows in an NHL season. But it's giving fans and the team hope that while he may not be hitting 60 goals this year; he can still be their leader.
It also should put any worries about his injury status to bed because he scored a hat-trick on the night he returned from a one-game absence after blocking a shot; he wouldn't have been so active and aggressive if he was cautious about getting hurt.
The four-point night against Winnipeg pushed his totals to 31 points in 34 games (18 goals, 13 assists) while also adding a plus-six, 53 blocks, 19 hits and winning nearly 59% of his face-offs.
Perhaps this is the catalyst that brings back more consistent scoring and point production from Toronto's captain, and if that's the case then the Maple Leafs will be in a much better position as they fight for a playoff spot in a very wide open Atlantic Division.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 3 | 1103 ANSWERS Something has shifted in Auston Matthews' game, just look at the numbers Do you think Auston Matthews is back? | ||
| Yes | 759 | 68.8 % |
| No | 344 | 31.2 % |
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