Auston Matthews Is the NHL’s Top Contender for the Hart Trophy

Old Prof January 29, 2024 in Featured, NHL Tagged Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs - 3 Minutes

Auston Matthews has become not only the Toronto Maple Leafs’ standout player but a frontrunner in the race for the Hart Trophy. The reason is simple: Matthews is a goal-scoring machine. His 40 goals in 46 games, coupled with the distinction of becoming the fastest player in Maple Leafs history to reach 600 career points, makes him a leading contender for the prestigious Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP.

Matthews’ Offense Is Magnificent for the Maple Leafs

Matthews’s offensive impact is spectacular. Leading the NHL in even-strength goals with 30 and putting up the highest goals-per-game rate at 0.87, he is the league’s top goal scorer. There are even season projections that hint that he has the potential to reach the 70-goal milestone. That would be an accomplishment from a different hockey era. It’s been more than 30 years since anyone scored 70 goals – 1992-93.

Fastest Maple Leaf to 600 career points.

Auston Matthews. pic.twitter.com/9Jd0FKPv3r
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 28, 2024

Matthews’s ability to find the back of the net, combined with strong defense and his deceptive speed, sets him apart in the Hart Trophy conversation. And that’s the other thing. Beyond being just an offensive threat, Matthews has transformed himself into a true two-way player. He currently ranks sixth in the NHL for takeaways with 47. And, most of those come because he applies relentless pressure on opponents and disrupts plays.

His commitment to his defensive responsibilities gives him far more versatility in his game. That he’s also one of the top defensive forwards in the NHL also enhances his candidacy for the Hart Trophy.

Matthews Is By Far the Biggest Contributor to His Team’s Success

In the context of team contributions, Matthews’s impact can’t be denied. In that, he has reclaimed the spotlight from William Nylander’s amazing start to the season. Nylander had an amazing streak, picking up points in 17 games in a row. However, Matthews’s consistent production during December and January has pushed him beyond Nylander as the team’s go-to contributor.

The 26-year-old’s remarkable streak of scoring his third goal in as many games and his seventh in his past five is the kind of streak he’s been on all season. When he’s been hot, he’s been very hot. Such production further strengthens his case for the Hart Trophy.

40 for 34! 🍁

Auston Matthews (@AM34) is the first player to reach the 40-goal mark this season!

In just his 46th game of the season, it's the fewest contests required in @MapleLeafs franchise history to reach the mark. pic.twitter.com/7OtGwucSEg
— NHL (@NHL) January 28, 2024

Although he still trails Nylander (who has 61 points) in team scoring with 58 points, Matthews’ unique style differentiates him from his peers. A shooting percentage of 20.2% is almost unworldly and reflects his precision in front of the net. Despite being primarily recognized for his goal-scoring ability, Matthews also wins more faceoffs than he loses. He’s had a 53% success rate this season. The reasons keep adding up.

Matthews’s contributions are worth watching, He’s not only an indispensable Maple Leafs player, he’s also a leading contender for the coveted Hart Trophy. If someone else wins, that person is going to have to mount a huge offensive season. As it is, Matthews looks to be the frontrunner during this NHL season.