Ex-Maple Leafs defenseman weighs in on Auston Matthews' scoring struggles, draws Alex Ovechkin comparison

By Zachary Roberts

Modified Nov 04, 2024 18:34 GMT

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews hasn't been scoring at the expected rate early on the season. He has just 11 points (only five goals) in 13 games. He scored 69 goals en route to 107 points in 81 games last season. His first season as the captain hasn't been as prolific so far.

A former defenseman who played for the Maple Leafs weighed in on the topic on Monday. Carlo Colaiacovo believes the young star is learning how to play hockey in a totally new way right now, via First Up.

Colaiacovo said:

"This is the challenge of any goal scorer, who has showed that he can score a ton of goals in the league year after year. The challenge is finding new ways to score goals.

"Even through the struggles, you have to find ways to score, especially if you're the one counted on to score them. And that's what makes Alex Ovechkin as great as he is, because every year he finds ways to score goals."

The former Leafs star added:

"Auston Matthews is finding a new way to play right now because of the new coach and the new system that's been implemented. He's gotta find ways to score goals within this system. It's been a struggle for him right now."

The Leafs brought in coach Craig Berube from the St. Louis Blues, and Colaiacovo believes that Matthews is taking much longer to adjust to the new system than anticipated.

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Craig Berube backs Auston Matthews' retaliation

Against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, Auston Matthews came to the aid of Mitch Marner by checking Ryan Suter. The play was controversial, but head coach Craig Berube had no problem with his captain jumping into the fray.

Auston Matthews came to the defense of a teammate (Imagn)

The coach said, via Leafs Nation:

“Well, that call, I have no problem with Matthews doing what he did. Mitch Marner got drilled at the side of the net. Should have been a penalty. They missed it. So for sure that’s a penalty, and they missed it. And he’s sticking up for his teammate there. I have no problem with that.”

It didn't lead to a win, as the Maple Leafs' power play struggles continued in the matchup and they lost 4-2.