Auston Matthews has done some unthinkable things over the past couple of years, and regardless of what your expectations were for the 2016 first-overall pick, turning into a player who’s capable of scoring 60 goals and bringing Selke-level defensive instincts was likely beyond anyone’s expectations. So imagine the surprise when he decided that 60 goals weren’t enough and sniffed 70 two years later.
Scoring 70 would have been a milestone for the ages, and it almost happened on a number of occasions, but ultimately, he landed on 69 instead. It was still by all accounts the nicest season by a Leaf in recent memory, and the reaction to scoring his 69th goal of the season showed how exciting the race got towards the end.
The downside to this, as it usually goes, is that Matthews couldn’t bring that touch into the playoffs. He was held to a goal and three assists in five games, which isn’t bad, but aside from the fact that all three of those points came in the team’s Game 2 win, he also missed games 5 and 6 due to illness. The Leafs ended up winning both of those games, but ultimately failed to reach the promised land again.
The 69-goal effort wasn’t front of mind after the Leafs were eliminated in the first round in seven games to their most familiar playoff demon, the Boston Bruins, but it’s not something that fans should overlook because of a team issue. It’s been said many times before, but when you have a top line centre who’s as skilled offensively and defensively as he is, it’s something that should be looked at with fondness regardless of the team’s inability to push through in the playoffs.
He’s easily the most talented player to lace up the skates for the Maple Leafs, and the only thing left for him to do is make his mark in the playoffs. Although he’s in the prime of his career, he’s locked into another four more kicks at the can, at least.
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