During his time on ESPN as a commentator, ex-NHL defenseman PK Subban didn't hold back in his critique of the Leafs. He emphasized that the squad's success heavily depends on the performance of their key goal scorer, Auston Matthews.
Subban further emphasized his view that the Toronto Maple Leafs' fortunes are significantly tied to Matthews. He argued that Matthews' critical goal-scoring ability, particularly in clutch moments, highlights issues within the team, especially considering the significant investments in players like John Tavares, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and Morgan Rielly. The implication is that Matthews must perform at an MVP level for the team to have a shot at the playoffs, pointing to a systemic issue within the team.
As the team faces the Colorado Avalanche tonight, Matthews has achieved 52 goals in 55 games. Keeping up with this trajectory and maintaining his health, he is on the path to surpass the 70-goal milestone, a feat last achieved by Alexander Mogilny in the 1992-93 season.
