Auston Matthews fell short of his goal of scoring 70 goals in a season during the Toronto Maple Leafs’ loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the regular-season finale. Despite firing off 12 shots on goal, he was unable to find the back of the net due to the stellar performance of rookie goalie Matt Tomkins.
Matthews acknowledged that while he wanted to reach the milestone of 70 goals, the most important thing is the team’s success. As a leader on the team, he understands the importance of pulling his weight and contributing to the overall performance of the Maple Leafs.
Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe emphasized that Matthews’ game goes beyond just scoring goals. Despite falling short of the 70-goal mark, Keefe praised Matthews for his tremendous performance throughout the season. He highlighted the fact that Matthews had been playing exceptionally well, even in the games where he didn’t find the back of the net.
Reflection on Matthews’ Goal Streak and Playoff Outlook
Matthews’ consecutive scoreless games came after an impressive eight-game goal streak where he scored 10 goals. As the Maple Leafs head into the playoffs against the Boston Bruins, Matthews’ focus remains on contributing to the team’s success and making a deeper run in the postseason.
Auston Matthews’ bid for 70 goals in a season may have fallen short, but his overall performance and contribution to the team cannot be overlooked. While individual achievements are noteworthy, the ultimate goal for Matthews and the Maple Leafs is to succeed as a team and make a strong playoff push.