Craig Berube Clarifies Auston Matthews' Role with the Toronto Maple Leafs Amid Scoring Slump
Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews has been in a scoring slump and as it turns out, head coach Craig Berube isn't feeling too worried about any of it.
Ever since entering the NHL, Auston Matthews has been a scoring machine who could very well one day end up eclipsing the goals record which will soon be broken by Alexander Ovechkin.
Unfortunately, the captain has been a shell of himself when it comes to scoring this season as he has only managed a total of 21 goals in 44 games.
Craig Berube on Auston Matthews
When you account for the 4 Nations Face-Off, he has not scored on a goalie in 12 games, which is pretty rare for him.
However, fans shouldn't panic too hard as Matthews is on an eight-game points streak which just goes to show that he is still finding ways to be productive.
While speaking to TSN Overdrive, head coach Craig Berube explained that he has no reason to be worried right now as the captain is doing all of the right things in between scoring goals.
But I think he's doing a lot of real good things like, he's been good defensively, killing penalties, he's been getting assists, I mean, I like his game overall.
Yeah, there's always things that could be better, that's with every player, right?
But, you know, the goals aren't going in, but it's not from a lack of opportunities or getting in there and creating opportunities, he's getting the chances....I truly believe he's going to come out of this thing and start scoring for sure."
While fans are used to 60-goal seasons from Auston Matthews, there is no denying that this year is different as he learns a new system and embraces a brand-new role as the team's primary leader.
He is trying to play more defensively and that is showing up in the team's results. Not to mention, he still has 49 points which puts him above a point-per-game pace.
Matthews got an assist last night with the Maple Leafs defeating the New York Rangers 3-2, giving themselves their fourth win in a row.
They are now first place in the Atlantic Division with a game in hand on the Florida Panthers, and there is real optimism that this is the year the team breaks through in the postseason.
