Matthews hasn't found the back of the net with Toronto since Jan. 22 against the Blue Jackets.
Entering the 4 Nations Face-Off, Auston Matthews is struggling to do what he does best: Score goals.
The 27-year-old forward has not scored in his last six games, the longest stretch he's gone without a goal this season. He's had several five-game goalless droughts over the last couple of years but hasn't gone without a goal for six or more games since the 2018-19 season.
Matthews had a seven-game goalless streak that year, from Jan. 17, 2019, to Jan. 20.
What's different about that drought compared to the current one he's on is his production in other areas of his game. Although he hasn't found the back of the net, Matthews has tallied seven assists in the last six games.
In 2019, the forward had three assists and was a minus-11 during the seven games he went without a goal.
"I mean, it's been fine. I think you always want to play better. Obviously you want to score, but the opportunities are there," Matthews said on Friday when discussing his lack of goal production.
The forward has generated 27 shots through the last six games without a goal. He has more shots on goal than any other player on the Maple Leafs in that span. (The closest teammate to him is Bobby McMann, who's tallied 21 shots in the last six games.)
Matthews is right. This stretch would have been more concerning had he not generated assists, or frankly, any offense at all.
"I mean, he's playing pretty well. I mean, he had six shots last night (against Seattle), three or four of them were very dangerous. I mean, they'll go in," Berube said on Friday.
"But you've got to keep getting the looks, right? Yeah. Obviously, he's making plays too. For me, I think his game's been good. He's playing a well-rounded game, both ends of the ice, killing penalties. So, listen, he's got to just keep getting the opportunities."
Matthews will get plenty of chances to find the back of the net over the next two weeks at the 4 Nations Face-Off with Team USA. It will be an important tournament for his goal drought but it also gives some of the Maple Leafs' top players a chance at best-on-best competition.
The high-pressure environment of the 4 Nations will help Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander become better players for the future.
"I mean, they're pretty excited, I'm sure. It is a big stage and they're all on different teams and they all want to win. And they're all important players on those teams," Berube said on Saturday.
"They're big-time players, and I think it's going to be a great thing to watch and see what happens."
