Auston Matthews 69 goals in 81 games, most goals scored since Lemieux in 1995-96

[Ol' Jase]

Guy is an absolute machine. Really doing something special.

 

[authentic]

He doesn't kill penalties because there is no upside to us having a 70 goal guy out killing penalties. It has absolutely nothing to do with his lack of ability to do it.

In the time he played there this season he also had the best GA among forwards on our team

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Hopefully that stupid goal called back for offside like 5 minutes after the fact (recently) doesn't end up the difference.

 

[Hockey Outsider]

Adjusting for era, probably only 2nd to Gretz 68 ES goals during his 92 goal season.

I did a quick, high-level analysis of most ES goals in a season, adjusted for era. Here are the top ten dating back to WWII:

Player	ESG	Season	Adjusted
Gordie Howe	41​	1951-52	57
Gordie Howe	37​	1952-53	56
Wayne Gretzky	68​	1981-82	54
Maurice Richard	39​	1944-45	54
Steven Stamkos	48​	2010-11	54
Phil Esposito	51​	1970-71	53
Brett Hull	57​	1990-91	53
Phil Esposito	50​	1973-74	51
Gordie Howe	38​	1950-51	51
Pavel Bure	45​	1999-00	51

Entering tonight's game, Matthews was sitting at 49 (actual ES goals, and also adjusted ES goals, since everything was adjusted to today's scoring environment). Two more ES goals gets him up to 51 (which would rank him right above Bure on this list).

I want to emphasize that this is intended as quick ballpark calculation only. But it certainly suggests that Matthews is having one of the greatest even-strength goal-scoring seasons of all time.

 

[The Podium]

I think Sam Reinhart is the better defensive foward and he is 2nd in scoring. Matthews lacks defensive hockey sense to kill penalties, but he is elite puck posession player for sure. His defensive coverage without the puck is lacking though. I’m not suggesting him being bad defensive player, before someone spits out some analytics. To me it’s not a long shot in favor of Matthews vs Reinhart.

However Matthews is a generational goal scorer, really special talent.

This is literally all made up

 

[Zybalto]

I did a quick, high-level analysis of most ES goals in a season, adjusted for era. Here are the top ten dating back to WWII:

Player	ESG	Season	Adjusted
Gordie Howe	41​	1951-52	57
Gordie Howe	37​	1952-53	56
Wayne Gretzky	68​	1981-82	54
Maurice Richard	39​	1944-45	54
Steven Stamkos	48​	2010-11	54
Phil Esposito	51​	1970-71	53
Brett Hull	57​	1990-91	53
Phil Esposito	50​	1973-74	51
Gordie Howe	38​	1950-51	51
Pavel Bure	45​	1999-00	51

Entering tonight's game, Matthews was sitting at 49 (actual ES goals, and also adjusted ES goals, since everything was adjusted to today's scoring environment). Two more ES goals gets him up to 51 (which would rank him right above Bure on this list).

I want to emphasize that this is intended as quick ballpark calculation only. But it certainly suggests that Matthews is having one of the greatest even-strength goal-scoring seasons of all time.

Cool thanks,

Though Espo would have a dropoff and Hull more of one.

It is interesting how forgotten Howe has become nowadays, the guy Gretz thought was the greatest.

 

[Dave92]

I think Sam Reinhart is the better defensive foward and he is 2nd in scoring. Matthews lacks defensive hockey sense to kill penalties, but he is elite puck posession player for sure. His defensive coverage without the puck is lacking though. I’m not suggesting him being bad defensive player, before someone spits out some analytics. To me it’s not a long shot in favor of Matthews vs Reinhart.

However Matthews is a generational goal scorer, really special talent.

Yea man, your mediocre second line center that's enjoying a 1 off career year is better than Matthews.

 

[Video Nasty]

2023-2024 is a season for the ages for multiple reasons. He’s actually going to get 70. Damn.

 

[Martin Skoula]

How many teams would Matthews be leading in points if he had 0 assists right now?

Would be leading or tied in Calgary, San Jose, Chicago, Columbus, Anaheim, Buffalo, Detroit, Philly, Seattle, Vegas, Washington.

Within a few points of LA, Ottawa, Winnipeg.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

I did a quick, high-level analysis of most ES goals in a season, adjusted for era. Here are the top ten dating back to WWII:

Player	ESG	Season	Adjusted
Gordie Howe	41​	1951-52	57
Gordie Howe	37​	1952-53	56
Wayne Gretzky	68​	1981-82	54
Maurice Richard	39​	1944-45	54
Steven Stamkos	48​	2010-11	54
Phil Esposito	51​	1970-71	53
Brett Hull	57​	1990-91	53
Phil Esposito	50​	1973-74	51
Gordie Howe	38​	1950-51	51
Pavel Bure	45​	1999-00	51

Entering tonight's game, Matthews was sitting at 49 (actual ES goals, and also adjusted ES goals, since everything was adjusted to today's scoring environment). Two more ES goals gets him up to 51 (which would rank him right above Bure on this list).

I want to emphasize that this is intended as quick ballpark calculation only. But it certainly suggests that Matthews is having one of the greatest even-strength goal-scoring seasons of all time.

Kind of funny he basically ends up in the exact same spot.

 

[Hockey Outsider]

Kind of funny he basically ends up in the exact same spot.

It was by design. I was trying to "translate" everyone else's results into this season.

 

[Ol' Jase]

This is literally all made up

Actually, outside of Toronto, it’s widely known that Reinhart is one of the better defensive players in the league right now.

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[SeanMoneyHands]

Wow, Matthews is going to get 70!

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

It was by design. I was trying to "translate" everyone else's results into this season.

I assumed you were using all the previous rates, which you would think would move him up or down. Initial thought would be up (due to 1974 - 1995) but then several from Gordie and Maurice propped up significantly.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

I predict Auston gets 2 goals against Detroit to get 70 and then rest him for the last 2 games.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

A ton of luck goes into a run to the cup finals when your leading scorer has 16 points in 21 games. The unfortunate truth

The goalie isn't part of the team ?

I must have looked at a different game during the last 65 years.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

I predict Auston gets 2 goals against Detroit to get 70 and then rest him for the last 2 games.

He'll need to because Keefe will probably sit him despite the chase.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

Domi has been a huge missing piece the leafs have needed for so long. But that Dubas guy seemed destined on a super soft team. Now the leafs have fixed a lot of their issues.

Fix the defense and they are a serious serious threat.

With what money (cap space) ?

 

[Chris5225]

75?

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

Currently tied for 18th most goals scored in a single season in NHL history. Top 10 of players not named Lemieux or Gretzky. Not bad.

Also 8th most even strength goals scored in a season.

And as usual, the season will probably end with a whimper, not a bang...

 

[JukofYork]

With what money (cap space) ?

Rid of Tavares or give him 4m a season

 

[SI90]

Really need him to get 70. He’s right there!!!

 

[The Podium]

Actually, outside of Toronto, it’s widely known that Reinhart is one of the better defensive players in the league right now.

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I never said he wasn’t, I was talking about Matthews supposed lack of defensive IQ and inability to kill penalties.

Also, Reinhart plays over 50% of ES strength minutes with Barkov. I’ve read through a lot of those articles that even point to that fact as a big reason for his defensive numbers.

 

[authentic]

How many teams would Matthews be leading in points if he had 0 assists right now?

Would be leading or tied in Calgary, San Jose, Chicago, Columbus, Anaheim, Buffalo, Detroit, Philly, Seattle, Vegas, Washington.

Within a few points of LA, Ottawa, Winnipeg.

Now that's nutty

 

[Ol' Jase]

I never said he wasn’t, I was talking about Matthews supposed lack of defensive IQ and inability to kill penalties.

Also, Reinhart plays over 50% of ES strength minutes with Barkov. I’ve read through a lot of those articles that even point to that fact as a big reason for his defensive numbers.

So then the post wasn’t ALL made up…

I really wish that just one player’s accomplishments could stand on their own merit. Just one.

But that is not the case. No matter what is said about another player other than Matthews, there is always something to diminish it.

“Way more PP time.”
“Plays with X player.”
“Can’t play defense.”

It’s a shame that during such an historic season, Matthews performance included, player’s accomplishments just can’t be enjoyed for its own merits. This constant diminishing of other players is just a lazy, ugly look.