Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has stated he is not “overly worried” about star player Auston Matthews` recent lack of goal-scoring production.
Matthews, renowned for his high scoring ability, including achieving over 60 regular-season goals twice and nearly reaching 70 in the 2023-24 season, has not yet scored in the current second-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers. This best-of-seven series is currently tied at 2-2.
During Game 4, Matthews had several scoring opportunities. His shot from close range was caught cleanly by Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. He also had chances during power-play situations that were shut down by the Panthers` defence and Bobrovsky, and another shot went wide of the net.
Playoff hockey is generally characterized by tighter defensive systems and more determined opposition, presenting a tougher challenge for scorers. Matthews` goalless streak in the series continued in Sunday`s game, which the Maple Leafs lost 2-0 in a performance marked by indiscipline and appearing dominated by the Panthers.
Despite the scoring drought, Berube emphasized that Matthews contributes significantly to the team beyond just putting the puck in the net. The coach expressed confidence that a crucial goal from Matthews is expected to come soon.
