Barring a major turnaround, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews will see his reign as the Maurice Richard Trophy winner come to an end this season.
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Crowned best sniper in the National Hockey League in the last two campaigns, the American is a far cry from point guard Connor McDavid. Heading into Tuesday night’s duels, he had 17, compared to the Edmonton Oilers captain’s 30 goals. And that’s without forgetting the many pursuers on McDavid’s heels. Among them is Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres, who ranks second with 26 successes. A few players are third with 24 goals, namely Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars), David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins) and Bo Horvat (Vancouver Canucks).
Matthews is heading for 41 goals, having scored an average of one per two games. In 2021-22 he hit the target 60 times, while the previous year the number 34 threaded the needle on 41 occasions in 52 outings.
This week, he’ll look to improve his chances on a three-game road trip, with the Leafs visiting the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday and the Colorado Avalanche the day before Game Day. ‘Year.
Alexander Ovechkin is the last man to have won the Maurice-Richard three years in a row. He actually pocketed it seven times in eight years before being dethroned by the Leafs color holder.
