Auston Matthews' scoring struggles earn swift reaction from head coach Craig Berube
Photo credit: USA Today
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has struggled at times this season and now, his head coach Craig Berube is giving his opinion on the matter.
Matthews has been one of the best goal-scorers in the NHL ever since his draft year, although to start the NHL season, he has only managed nine goals in 20 games, which is well below his capabilities.
Auston Matthews struggles to get it done against the Anaheim Ducks
It wasn't the best game for Auston Matthews as he did not record a single point.
Of course, Matthews is slowly but surely recovering from a lingering upper-body injury, so these kinds of setbacks are expected.
However, some fans are concerned about the captain's well-being and whether or not he is going to find his scoring touch again. After all, the Ducks are typically a team against which he is successful, yet he couldn't manage a single point last night.
Having said that, according to The Hockey News, Craig Berube is not concerned at all. He understands that scoring comes in waves.
«I think he's playing good hockey. I mean, he's playing 200 feet defensively, faceoffs, killing penalties. He's doing a lot of good stuff for the team. Yes, we need him to produce and he will."
Berube also reiterated that sometimes, the puck just does not go your way and for now, that seems to be what's happening with Matthews.
«I mean, sometimes they don't go in all the time, but he's getting the looks, he's taking pucks that are net hard, he's playing a physical game. Like I said, it's 200 feet. He plays against top lines, the other team, penalty kills, key situations in our own end and stuff. So he's doing a lot of good stuff and I get, we need him to score. I'm not concerned about it, he will, it'll go in.»
For any other player in the NHL, aside from a select few, nine goals in 20 games would be a dream-like season.
Add in the fact that Matthews has 19 points in 20 games and that only reinforces the point.
Sure, he might look rusty right now, but we're a long way away from needing to press the panic button. Instead, fans should just be happy about last night's win.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 13 | 165 ANSWERS Auston Matthews' scoring struggles earn swift reaction from head coach Craig Berube Do you believe Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is going to figure it out this season? | ||
| YES | 141 | 85.5 % |
| NO | 24 | 14.5 % |
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