Is Craig Berube’s System to Blame for Auston Matthews’ Scoring Struggles?

In a recent discussion on the Real Kyper and Bourne Show, Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne, and Sam McKee weighed in on Auston Matthews‘ offensive struggles this season and whether his change in playstyle, possibly influenced by head coach Craig Berube, could be the reason behind his underperformance at five-on-five. Their conversation attempted to offer insight into Matthews’ struggles and what might be the cause, as well as the implications for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Matthews himself.

Key Conversational Points Regarding Matthews’ Play

Nick Kypreos, an ex-NHL player and analyst, sets the stage by comparing Matthews’ previous seasons, mainly when he was on fire with 69 goals, to the current season, where his usual offensive threat seems to have waned. He notes that Matthews’ play last season was full of dangerous, relentless attacks. It felt like he was bound to score every game. But now, Matthews doesn’t have the same impact on every shift. His ability to generate scoring chances has been diminished.

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Sam McKee plays the devil’s advocate, exploring the possibility that Matthews’ struggles could be due to changes in his role under Berube’s system. He suggests Matthews might be being asked to do more defensively, affecting his offensive output. He’s noticed that Matthews, historically a strong two-way player, might be taking on different responsibilities that could impact his usual goal-scoring form.

Kypreos’ experienced perspective pushed back on the idea that Berube would deliberately hinder Matthews’ offensive abilities. He argues that a coach like Berube, known for wanting to get the best out of his top players, would not ask Matthews to sacrifice his primary skill – goal-scoring – for a more defensive role. The panel also wonders if Matthews’ early-season injury is still affecting his game and if he’s adjusting his style to be more physical, which could be a factor in his overall play.

Key Points in the Matthews Game-Has-Changed Analysis

The core of the panel’s discussion revolved around Matthews’ unusual lack of offensive impact this season. That’s particularly true at five-on-five, where he was once unstoppable. In previous years, every Matthews shift seemed like a goal-scoring chance. However, this season, that constant threat is not there.

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Second, the panel discussed Berube’s possible influence. The group explores whether Matthews has been asked to change his game to fit Berube’s system. While they don’t land on an answer, they seem to lean toward the answer being “No.”

A third point of discussion is Matthews’ physicality. Bourne brought up interesting data about Matthews’ decreasing physicality in this season. The discussion notes that Matthews’ hits per game had been climbing. However, this season, his teammate Mitch Marner has a higher hit total and average per game than Matthews. The panel wonders what’s happening to Matthews’ offensive mindset, particularly in generating scoring chances. Is it injuries?

Finally, the panel wonders how much this season’s injuries have weighed on Matthews’ play. They raise the possibility that Matthews’ early-season injury could still have lingering effects. Has Matthews adjusted his game to avoid further injury, potentially sacrificing some of his aggressive, goal-scoring approach to stay healthy for the playoffs? Given the gist of the conversation, they don’t know the answer.

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The key takeaway from this discussion is that Matthews’ struggles this season are complex and multifaceted. While there might be external factors, such as a possible shift in Berube’s system or Matthews’ adjustments to injury and increased physical play, the question remains: Is Matthews’ change in approach (for one reason or another) affecting his scoring potential? The analysts seem to agree that Matthews is still a highly skilled player. However, something has limited his usual offensive dynamism. Like fans, they don’t exactly know the answer.

What Does This Mean for Matthews and the Maple Leafs?

The analysis suggests that Matthews must balance fulfilling his defensive responsibilities and retaining his offensive edge. If his physical play affects his scoring chances, Matthews might need to reconsider how he approaches the game. The Maple Leafs must ensure that Matthews gets back to his high-scoring form, as the team depends on him to be a top performer, especially as the playoffs approach.

While Matthews’ adjustment to a more physically demanding role could be affecting his offensive output, it’s essential for him and the Maple Leafs to focus on restoring his scoring ability. The key will be finding the right balance for Matthews to contribute in all areas without sacrificing his offensive prowess.