Auston Matthews loses the Maple Leafs another game, and fans are fed up
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has been struggling this season, and a loss to the San Jose Sharks is putting into perspective how bad things are.
Auston Matthews has been struggling to put the puck in the net since last season, and it is starting to become a real problem for this Maple Leafs team.
Last season, it was excusable as the captain was dealing with some sort of nagging injury that was keeping him from being his usual self.
However, this season, the excuses just aren't there. Matthews is supposed to be 100 percent healthy, and still, he is well below a 50-goal pace.
Auston Matthews gives away the game-winning goal
On Thursday, Matthews and the Maple Leafs took on the San Jose Sharks, a team that they should be able to beat, considering they are in a rebuild.
However, the Maple Leafs lost in overtime by a score of 3-2, and the game-winning goal can be pinned on the captain, who took a bad shot in overtime that led to a giveaway.
While backchecking, Matthews completely gave up, and while he may have been gassed from a long shift, the optics here are just horrible.
Following the loss, fans took to social media, and it was here where they voiced their frustrations with the captain and his lack of effort.
It's just yet another example of a worrisome trend for the captain, who doesn't seem to be playing good offensive hockey under head coach, Craig Berube.
Auston Matthews' stats are not great
In 25 games this season, Auston Matthews has 13 goals and eight assists for 21 points. The forward is on pace for a middling season, which is way off base from where he should be.
The captain isn't a vocal leader, and he isn't exactly leading by example either. At some point, the Leafs are going to have to do something to get the captain motivated.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 12 | 515 ANSWERS Auston Matthews loses the Maple Leafs another game, and fans are fed up Do you believe Auston Matthews will never reach the same heights as his early Toronto Maple Leafs output? | ||
| YES | 363 | 70.5 % |
| NO | 152 | 29.5 % |
| List of polls | ||