Typically, if Auston Matthews had scored only one goal in the initial three games of a playoff series, one might expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to face significant difficulties. Yet, the Leafs are nearing the second round, buoyed by Simon Benoit`s crucial overtime goal on Thursday evening. This highlights a perceived shift in the Toronto team`s dynamic this postseason, even with the same core players who have experienced prior playoff disappointments. While Matthews is not scoring at his usual prolific rate, he has adapted his approach, and this is proving vital for securing wins.
This season has been marked by uncertainty regarding Matthews. Questions have lingered about the nature and severity of his injury, how effectively he can play through it, the reasons behind his trip to Germany for treatment, his availability for the Four Nations Face-Off, and whether the Leafs can succeed without him at peak performance.
Some of these questions have been answered, while others remain open. The most pressing issue currently is the Leafs` pursuit of a deep playoff run with Matthews not displaying his customary goal-scoring prowess. After a 2023-24 season where he nearly reached 70 goals, his tally dropped to a career-low 33 this year. His shot velocity has sometimes appeared less potent, likely a side effect of the injury he has been managing.
However, this doesn`t mean Matthews has been ineffective. The 27-year-old has subtly transformed his game, focusing more on setting up teammates and becoming a primary facilitator. Despite missing considerable time (playing only 67 games), Matthews still accumulated 45 assists, just one assist shy of his career high. Of these, 27 were primary assists, also close to his personal best, despite the missed games. Since January 1st, only Nikita Kucherov and David Pastrnak have registered more points than Matthews, who contributed 33 of his 45 assists during this period.
Matthews hasn`t traditionally been celebrated for his playmaking skills. However, perhaps out of necessity due to his injury limitations or the emergence of Matthew Knies as a capable scorer on his line, he has successfully incorporated impressive passing into his game. A clear example was his exceptional setup for Knies` game-winning overtime goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning late in the season, a victory that helped propel the Leafs toward a division title.
