RELAX

Sammy Brezovsky

Auston Matthews is not exactly sizzling at the moment. After seven games, the two-time Rocket Richard winner has just one goal. Guys like Gabriel Vilardi, Rasmus Dahlin, and Kent Johnson are all ahead of him, and they aren’t really who you’d picture as Matthew’s main competition for the league’s best goal-scorer.

This start, after what was undoubtedly the best season Matthews has had in the NHL, has been pretty underwhelming, especially for Leafs fans. But should they be worried that their messiah isn’t dominating the way he usually does?

To put it simply: No. Relax

Last year, Auston Matthews had 60 goals, but he had a pretty brutal start (by Auston Matthews standards). In the month of October, he had just 1 goal. He didn’t start to break out until late November. And yet still, he broke the Leafs' all-time record for goals in a single season. It’s worth noting that Papi has three more games this month, and if he scores in one or more of them, he’ll be on a better pace than he was last year.

Another thing I want Leafs fans to understand is that it’s been 7 GAMES. So, while panicking is common in Leafs territory, it may not be the best option. While Matthews, in a week’s worth of games, hasn't been short of opportunities, and while some may be concerned with his "finishing touch," I’m optimistic.

Matthews historically has a shooting percentage of about 16%, meaning nearly 2 out of 10 shots go in. For a guy that shoots 260 shots a season, that percentage is lethal. Unfortunately for fans of the Original Six franchise, he’s resting right at 3% now, an average of 1 out of every 30 shots hitting the back of the net. Matthews, who has one of the hardest, most accurate shots in the league, won’t be at that percentage much longer. You can use the past statistics, the eye-test, the fact that he’s hit 3000 posts this season or whatever you please.

The fact is, Auston will start to get hot

So my advice, Leafs fan to Leafs fan, is this: calm down. We’re at game 8 of an 82-game season (plus the 7 playoff games). Be thankful that a guy can be basically ppg and you still aren’t satisfied. I’m confident he’ll start to be Auston Matthewsy very soon, and when he does, this 7-game stretch will be nothing but a blip in another consistent season.