Auston Matthews 69 goals in 81 games, most goals scored since Lemieux in 1995-96

[Dr Pepper]

It’s easier to pass to 1 of 4 guys than to be the one to score.

In a game that meant nothing, everyone knew the Leafs were playing for Matthews 70th and both Tampa and Florida swarmed him to ensure he didn’t get it.

I don't know, twelve shots on goal last night tells me he had plenty of opportunities.

 

[The Podium]

I don't know, twelve shots on goal last night tells me he had plenty of opportunities.

Clearly you didn’t watch the game

 

[Dr Pepper]

Clearly you didn’t watch the game

Never said I did, but twelve shots is twelve shots and Matthews has shown all season that he can score from pretty much anywhere.

Just snakebit these last two nights, I guess.

 

[Rob Brown]

Clearly you didn’t watch the game

I did, and I'm not sure how you could say he didn't have opportunities to score.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

12 shots and no goal? Womp. Bust

 

[Dr Pepper]

When I heard Florida was starting Stolarz, I thought he'd get that 70th goal - especially since he'd scored in the previous 8 or 9 consecutive games. Then he didn't.

Then going into last night, Tampa rolls Tomkins out there, and Matthews gets blanked again?! Him not scoring a goal for two straight games was by far the most improbable outcome at the start of the week.

 

[wgknestrick]

69

With that mustache?

LMAO

 

[Rob Brown]

When I heard Florida was starting Stolarz, I thought he'd get that 70th goal - especially since he'd scored in the previous 8 or 9 consecutive games. Then he didn't.

Then going into last night, Tampa rolls Tomkins out there, and Matthews gets blanked again?! Him not scoring a goal for two straight games was by far the most improbable outcome at the start of the week.

Stolarz had a pretty solid season! But yeah I agree, definitely improbable for Matthews to not score on like 20 shots on net in two games.

 

[The Podium]

I did, and I'm not sure how you could say he didn't have opportunities to score.

I never once said he didn’t have opportunities, but both teams were swarming him, getting in his lane and making sure to be between him and the puck. There were no easy opportunities and Matthews had to push through to get his chances. To be fair the Leafs were also neglecting all other responsibilities to get him the puck.

 

[Rob Brown]

I never once said he didn’t have opportunities, but both teams were swarming him, getting in his lane and making sure to be between him and the puck. There were no easy opportunities and Matthews had to push through to get his chances. To be fair the Leafs were also neglecting all other responsibilities to get him the puck.

Someone said that Matthews had 'plenty of opportunities' and your response was 'clearly you didn't watch the game', so that's how it came across to me anyway. All good.

 

[Rob Brown]

Tomkins didn't play amazing because the post robbed him more than tomkins. He just stopped matthews and matthews choked under pressure. I hear Toronto is known for that or something. That isn't our goalie. It is a third stringer. Matthews had a great season , but had a major choke job last night. Some guys fold under pressure and some guys thrife under pressure.

Again, he had plenty of chances and the goalie beat him. Why not just say the goalie played great and didn't let him score? Not everything is a 'choke' lol. Again, as a Leafs fan, it's hard to be upset when he had over 10 shots on net and a post. A choke to me is him getting a shot or two and no other looks.

 

[Phil Kessels Hot Dog]

It really doesn't matter. Leaf fans will spin Matthews into a 70 goal scorer going forward regardless of his actual scoring accomplishment.

Auston Matthews is the first player ever to score 70 goals in 70 games!!!!!!!

 

[Frank Drebin]

14 goals in his last 15 games. 9 in his last 9.

Incredible late season push. I don't think he was ever pacing for 70 over the season so to call it a choke is just dumb. But what else can you expect from HF.

 

[More 2004]

Bolts fan, kinda bummed he didn't hit 70.. not for the sake of Matthews or the Leafs though. I think it would have been good for the nhl.

 

[Byron Bitz]

the important number was 66, he beat Ovechkin’s goal record.

 

[bobholly39]

14 goals in his last 15 games. 9 in his last 9.

Incredible late season push. I don't think he was ever pacing for 70 over the season so to call it a choke is just dumb. But what else can you expect from HF.

Uh....he was not only pacing for 70, but for a stretch in late February he was pacing for ~78-80 goals or so. So he definitely was

I think he slowed down a bit in March and most people gave up on 75 and even 70 and were simply guessing 65+, but as you said he got really got again past couple weeks and came close.

I agree with the rest - absolutely phenomenal season by Matthews

 

[Frank Drebin]

Uh....he was not only pacing for 70, but for a stretch in late February he was pacing for ~78-80 goals or so. So he definitely was

I think he slowed down a bit in March and most people gave up on 75 and even 70 and were simply guessing 65+, but as you said he got really got again past couple weeks and came close.

I agree with the rest - absolutely phenomenal season by Matthews

Yeah my bad. Grabbed a random game from Feb and he had 49 in 53 games.

Anyway, this isn't the dunk posters think it is.

 

[Chips]

So close but still impressive. 69 is a fun number.

 

[Frank Drebin]

Kucherov should be the slam dunk when you look at his team being worse the MacK’s (who I’m a huge fan of) half the year.

And when you look at Kucherov feasting against top teams and “only” being super good against bottom teams, while the stat breakdown for MacK and McD is the opposite


Kucherov carried the Bolts but he’ll probably get 3rd place because

1. MacKinnon is “overdue” and that’s real logic voters use

2. McDavid will likely always take a chunk of voters

3. Shouldn’t matter, but he pissed off a bunch of media people with his attitude at the all star game.

Not the thread for it but I'll be shocked if Kucherov doesn't win.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

His 70th goal of the year will be the series winner vs Boston. Smart man for saving it.

 

[Mugzy97]

Dude, what was that from Toronto? It seemed like they could have tried harder to get him the goal.

Players finishing when he's open. Scoring on a delayed penalty lol wtf

I am 100% sure that the guy who hasn't scored in 111 games didn't mean to score

 

[Drumman44]

As a casual observer, this Tampa game was meaningless. The seeding was set for both teams. Why did Keefe not pull the goalie at every offensive possession to get Matthews his 70th and then just sit his ass on the bench?

 

[blundluntman]

Ngl I’m pretty disappointed he didn’t hit 70

 

[Hockeyville USA]

That Lilleberg shot block was glorious. Great season for Matthews.

But all that matters is the playoffs. Cup is all that really matters. Regular season (individual) accomplishments only really matter to me after you've won a Cup. If you haven't yet, meh.

 

[bigtim1988]

Seriously incredible. I haven't payed close attention to the stats, but my mind was blown when I saw he had almost 70