Is Craig Berube’s System to Blame for Auston Matthews’ Scoring Struggles?….
Auston Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ captain, is experiencing a notable decline in his goal-scoring this season. After leading the league with 69 goals last season, he has managed only 23 goals in 50 games this year. This downturn has sparked discussions about the potential influence of head coach Craig Berube’s system on Matthews’ performance.
One significant change under Berube is Matthews’ increased role on the penalty kill. He is averaging a career-high in penalty kill minutes, resulting in his lowest five-on-five ice time since his rookie season. This shift may be diverting his focus from offensive production to defensive responsibilities.
Berube, however, remains unconcerned about Matthews’ scoring dip. He emphasizes Matthews’ comprehensive contributions, including defensive play, faceoff wins, and penalty killing. Berube believes that as long as Matthews continues to generate opportunities and play a complete game, the goals will eventually follow.
In summary, while Berube’s system has introduced new defensive duties for Matthews, attributing his scoring struggles solely to these changes may overlook other factors, such as lingering injuries. A balanced approach that leverages Matthews’ offensive talents while integrating necessary defensive roles could be key to revitalizing his goal-scoring prowess.
