Is Auston Matthews the NHL’s Most Valuable Player?
The 2021-2022 season has been one of unbelievable production for Auston Matthews.
The Toronto Maple Leafs star is leading the NHL in goals this season, as he has set a new career-high with 58 markers this year. That total is not only a personal best, but it’s also a franchise record and the most ever scored in a season by an American skater. Not too shabby.
Thursday was a big night for the 24-year-old, as he set both of the aforementioned records on the same night. His 55th goal of the year broke the Toronto record, and his 56th set the American record.
To go with his league-best 58 goals, Matthews has recorded 41 assists, leaving him only one point away from the century mark. He is nearly 20 points past his previous high-water mark in terms of points in a single season, and there are still ten games left to play.
Auston Matthews is firmly in the MVP conversation.
As a result of Matthews’ remarkable, and maybe MVP-worthy, campaign, the Maple Leafs own the second-best record in the Atlantic at 47-19-6. Toronto is eight points behind the Florida Panthers, and four and five points clear of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins, respectively.
He has powered the Leafs to become a top-three offense in the NHL, as Toronto scores 3.8 goals per game, which is tied with the Colorado Avalanche and trails only the Florida Panthers.
While many players contribute to that great number for the Maple Leafs, Matthews has scored almost twice as many goals as Mitch Marner, who has the second-highest total on the team. Further, Marner (90) is the only Leaf within 30 points of Matthews’ 99.
Toronto’s superstar has scored more than a goal per game over his last 50 contests, and he now holds an eight-goal advantage over all other NHL skaters. Needless to say, he is well on his way to winning a second consecutive Rocket Richard Trophy.
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The goal for the Maple Leafs is to finally achieve postseason relevance, and in the meantime, the team will continue to thrive thanks to its potential MVP, Auston Matthews.