Auston Matthews Is The Front-Runner For The Hart Trophy
from Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun,
With 25 games remaining in the Leafs’ 2021-22 regular season, Matthews not only is pulling away with another Rocket Richard Trophy, he is making it more difficult with each game to argue against giving him a first-place vote for the Hart Trophy.
With 43 goals after he recorded his third hat trick of the season in the Leafs’ 6-4 win against Seattle on Tuesday, Matthews built a five-goal cushion between himself and Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers and Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers, who both had 38 goals prior to Wednesday.
It’s just a matter of time — like, say, some time next week — before Matthews scores 50 goals for the first time in the NHL.
Against the Arizona Coyotes, who make their lone visit of the season to Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night to face the Leafs, Matthews has four goals in nine career games.
Of course, the goals tell just part of the Matthews story. He’s sharp defensively, is coach Sheldon Keefe’s first choice to go over the boards when the game is on the line and strips pucks from opponents better than anyone else in the game. And he is doing it all for a Leafs team that, despite some recent poor performances, remains in the race to win the Atlantic Division.
All respect is due to Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers, Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames, Jonathan Huberdeau of the Florida Panthers, and Connor McDavid and Draisaitl of the Oilers, among others, for the terrific seasons they are having.
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