Robertson has scored two goals through 23 games this season with the Maple Leafs.
Nick Robertson was a healthy scratch on Saturday for the Toronto Maple Leafs' 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, however, he's not letting that affect his confidence when it comes to finding the back of the net.
The 23-year-old forward has two goals through 23 games this season and is averaging 12:17 of ice time under Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube. It's been a difficult run after scoring 14 goals in 56 games last year.
"I'm good mentally. I've got to stay confident in my game. I can't let this affect my performance," Robertson said on Monday after being asked about being a healthy scratch in Pittsburgh.
"Obviously it's a business decision. I respect the decisions made. Obviously, it's tough. It's frustrating how the season has gone so far. It's my job to get back to how I was before."
Robertson's last goal came against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 30. Before that, he hadn't found the back of the net since Oct. 22 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. His shooting percentage is 5.7, the fourth-lowest among players who've scored this season for Toronto.
Robertson's average through his 110-game NHL career sits at 10.5 percent.
"I've got to bury some of these goals here. Obviously, luck comes with it, but a couple of goals I could have buried against Utah. I could have buried a couple obviously luck, but at the same time, those go in, your mind changes and you feel better," Robertson admitted.
"I think just more execution. I think overall though I'm working hard. I'm trying everything I can to... I think the work ethic is not something that he's not happy with. I just got to keep working hard and just hope that the luck and all for execution on my end."
Throughout Robertson's goal-scoring slump, Berube has been willing to put the forward in situations which could help him find the back of the net.
He's even leaned on his teammates, adding that "being happy every day like if I was scoring every game," has helped.
"It just kind of keeps my mind away from hockey itself. I'm pretty positive, more positive than before. And each game I try to just go in with the mindset of doing what I can to the little details, right?" Robertson said. "And obviously you're not going to have the best game every game, but to be confident in the little things, then score goals."
However, Robertson understands that he needs to do what he does best: Score goals.
"I got to make the most of whatever, you know, 10 minutes, 12, 13, 14, whatever it is to stay in the lineup and again to score goals and execute."
