Matthews’ lack of targets for Maple Leafs belies his scoring probabilities

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In case you’re apprehensive about Auston Matthews’ lack of purpose scoring by means of the Maple Leafs’ first 13 video games, right here’s a suggestion:

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Don’t stress an excessive amount of.

True, Matthews has simply 5 targets, a complete that he breezed previous a yr in the past when he opened the season with a hat trick in consecutive video games.

And sure, 5 represents his lowest variety of targets by means of the primary 13 video games in any of his 9 Nationwide Hockey League seasons, although in three years he was sitting at six targets by means of a baker’s dozen.

As Matthews and the remainder of the Leafs proceed to regulate to taking part in for coach Craig Berube, the Toronto captain, offensively, has been doing nearly every little thing however scoring with consistency.

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Earlier than NHL video games on Monday, Matthews was tied with David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins in photographs on purpose with 56, in all conditions. At five-on-five, Matthews was tied for third with 34 photographs.

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The 27-year-old additionally was tied for third in high-danger probabilities at five-on-five with 19 (by way of naturalstattrick.com) and had an NHL-high 58 unblocked shot makes an attempt.

Matthews’ profession taking pictures proportion by means of 575 video games is 16%. That has dipped this season to eight.9%, his lowest in any season (12.2% is his lowest in a full season). When Matthews scored a franchise-record 69 targets final yr, his taking pictures proportion was a career-high 18.7%, marking certainly one of three seasons he has completed greater than 18%.

With the probabilities Matthews is getting, this lack of manufacturing (by his requirements) isn’t going to final. He’s on tempo for 32 targets, which might be a profession low. There’s no manner he’s going to complete there.

And sure, Matthews is tied for the NHL lead in missed photographs with 34. That’s nothing new. He led the league in missed photographs final season with 165 when he in any other case was filling the online.

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The Leafs’ futility on the ability play isn’t going to final endlessly, both. Toronto merely has an excessive amount of expertise for the ability play to falter by means of a whole season. When it does flip round from the place it’s now — thirty first total at 10% — Matthews will likely be on the forefront.

With the Bruins visiting Scotiabank Area on Tuesday because the Leafs start a four-game dwelling stand, Matthews is on the cusp of breaking out. And maybe it comes towards the Leafs’ bitter Atlantic Division rivals, towards whom he has 13 targets in 20 profession video games.

Would the Leafs have a pair extra victories and never be sitting at 6-5-2 by means of 13 video games had Matthews discovered the again of the online a couple of extra instances? Presumably.

However the Leafs had the identical report final season by means of 13 video games, when Matthews had 13 targets in that span.

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Matthews will get his rewards and we’d guess it’s sooner slightly than later. Sweating his lack of manufacturing proper now could be losing power.

BUILDING BLOCKS

Defenceman Chris Tanev contributed one other 4 blocks within the additional time loss towards the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, bringing him to 45 on the season.

Tanev continues to steer the NHL in that class, as he has 4 greater than defenceman Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames.

And no, Tanev’s constant willingness to place his physique in entrance of rushing rubber isn’t misplaced on Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz.

“Everybody thinks that the goalie is the one one who has to dam a shot, however as a goalie, you admire the blokes who go on the market and try this evening in, evening out,” Stolarz mentioned on Sunday evening. “I do know it’s not simple, particularly with not as a lot gear as I’ve. As a goalie, you’re taking loads of delight in your teammates that they’re keen to try this for you and do it for the group.”

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Jake McCabe additionally had three blocks towards the Wild.

Mentioned Berube: “It helps rather a lot. Our D are doing an ideal job of blocking photographs. Massive a part of the sport is being laborious in entrance of your internet.”

Matthews, by the best way, was fourth amongst NHL forwards with 19 shot blocks.

LOOSE LEAFS

When William Nylander scored on the ability play towards the Wild, he moved right into a tie with George Armstrong for seventh on the Leafs franchise record with 64 power-play targets. Together with his subsequent purpose throughout a Toronto man benefit, Nylander will tie Dave Keon for sixth with 65. Matthews has 95, good for third in group historical past. Mats Sundin holds the franchise report with 124, adopted by Darryl Sittler with 120 … Berube on utilizing 5 forwards on the ability play towards the Wild: “We’ve talked about it for a bit and determined to go together with it.” … Pastrnak to reporters in Boston on Monday when requested about being benched for all the third interval throughout a 2-0 Bruins win towards the Seattle Kraken on Sunday: “Take the accountability of being higher, however on the similar time, I’m simply transferring ahead and specializing in one other sport tomorrow. I by no means look again.” Pastrnak sat after turning the puck over, which finally helped result in a Kraken scoring likelihood late within the second interval … The Leafs had a full break day on Monday, as is their customized following a back-to-back set.

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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