‘Auston wants to score every game’
SUNRISE, FLA. — If anyone is worried that Auston Matthews is in a bit of a slump — no points in his past five games — it isn’t Matthews himself or even Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock.
“Well, I noticed Ovie (Alex Ovechkin) didn’t have a goal in 10 games. I don’t think they’re worried about Ovie. I’m not going to spend too much time worrying about Auston,” said Babcock, from Sunrise, Fla., on the outskirts of Fort Lauderdale, where the Panthers play.
“Auston wants to score every game. He plays hard, he’s competitive. His line did a good job in Carolina. There was no room at all.”
Matthews sat in his stall after practice Monday at the Branch Banking and Trust (BB and T) arena knowing the questions about his lack of production were coming. He was, after all, sitting beside seasonlong linemate Zach Hyman, who had been asked about Matthews’ slump.
“It’s just about doing the right things, getting to the net, scoring a dirty one,” Hyman said of Matthews. “Once you get one, they seem to come in bunches. Just play well, play well defensive. The offence will come.
“He’s mature for his age and he handles it well. He’s a great player. The puck is going to go into the net for him.”
The five games without a goal or assist ties his longest pointless drought of the year. The first time was Oct. 27-Nov. 3, the first five games of his 13-game goalless drought.
“There are things I can tweak,” said Matthews. “As an offensive player, you want to produce, you want to score goals and help the team win, and right now we’re winning. For me, that’s the most important part.
“You want to get back on the scoresheet, help the team out whatever way you can.”
There is nothing in particular wrong with his game. He’s getting his usual 17-19 minutes of ice time. He’s taking shots.
Power play time has been at a premium because the opposition has been playing disciplined hockey against the Leafs, who sport the league’s top power play.
“I just want to play hockey, and have fun,” said Matthews.
Connor Brown worked out on the right side with Matthews and Hyman. Babcock routinely flips Brown and William Nylander on that line.
“What I like about Brown with Hyman and Matthews together is they can play against anybody,” said Babcock. “No matter who they match up against, they’re going to play a ton of time in the offensive zone. Nylander and Matthews play more on the rush when they’re together. With Brown, they’re more on the cycle.”
It doesn’t make a difference to Matthews.
“It doesn’t change much,” said Matthews. “I’m a shooter either way. It doesn’t matter who I play with. They’re both different players, but they both make plays, they’re both really strong on the puck. They bring different things to the line, but they’re all positive.”
Brown has one assist in his last seven games. Hyman has one goal in his last six games.
The Leafs have strung together a three-game winning streak — they were playing the Panthers Tuesday night in Fort Lauderdale — in large part because of their scoring depth. They can live with one line getting blanked because they have scorers all through the lineup.
In particular, the line with Tyler Bozak flanked by James van Riemsdyk and Mitch Marner has been on fire lately after having their struggles through most of February. Van Riemsdyk himself has just emerged from a 14-game goal-less drought, getting two goals and two assists over his last three games.
The Leafs would appear to be masters of their own destiny at this point of the season, with 15 games to go and a post-season berth within their grasp.
“It would be huge for all of us,” said Matthews. “It’s been the goal for us the whole year.”