Auston Matthews 69 goals in 81 games, most goals scored since Lemieux in 1995-96
- Thread starter Divine
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- Jun 22, 2018
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Yeah neither are Selke candidates, McDavid is definitely the best player in the league but Matthews is making a strong case for being the MVP this season with almost a goal per game clip. He is the next Ovechkin and could well be looking at smashing McDavid's 65 goal season.
SkinsFan09
Registered User
He's 21 points back for the Art Ross, the Hart is probably going to Kucherov.
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Maple Leaf
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- Sep 18, 2009
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TheDoldrums
Registered User
It's not 23 points. And Matthews has already won a Hart while being 6th in scoring. Because it's not about replicating the Art Ross winner.
SkinsFan09
Registered User
McDavid had a 110 point player on his team, I think that played a big role. Kucherov is outscoring the closest teammate by 36 and counting.
It should be a close race. To me it's Kucherov but both players are worthy.
Aashir Mallik
Backcheck, Forecheck, Paycheque
- Apr 19, 2019
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I agree that kucherov should get it, he’s just outpacing his team by so much
But I do think another thing that has to happen is tampa makes the playoffs, I think without the playoffs people might go towards Mackinnon or Mcdavid or even Matthews
I think if tampa makes the playoffs and kucherov keeps a 15ish point lead the hart is his
LivingRentFree
Registered User
About Mcdavid being better defensively than Matthews?
That's not even close to a fact That's a multiverse reality, that's a whole different earth you live on.
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He’s leading the league in stick checks and pretty high up on a few defensive categories
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LivingRentFree
Registered User
He shouldn’t have to convince you. Any reasonable hockey fan that has seen both players play more than once would come to the conclusion that Matthews is significantly better defensively than McDavid.
We get it, you love McDavid. Here are some things you should know about Matthews:
-He is a better goal scorer
-He is a better defensive player
-He is better as a centre.
There are other more in depth things I could list, but I will let those ones settle with you for now.
Suntouchable13
Registered User
70 is almost in the bag, no? 21 goals in 28 games needed. Seems like it's very doable.
Okay, so in the past matthews was better defensively.
This year they’re comparable
This year McDavid is definitely better defensively than the past but he’s still average at best. I’d even say below average league wise
McDavid per 60
3.02 giveaways
2.79 takeaways.
Matthews per 60
Giveaways 1.81
Takeaways 3.10
Is that why McDavid gives up fewer shots, chances and high danger chances than Matthews?
Takeaways/60 isn’t the only stat to find out defensive play
Satire
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- Nov 20, 2016
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I've never liked this argument of playoffs required. If Kucherov wins the Ross and is outscoring the next closest on his team by a crazy margin he deserves the Hart. Full stop. Now if Kuch doesn't win the Ross, then sure, the debate is there.
MCDavid, MacK, and even Matthews all have a reasonable claim to the Hart. I'd even put Q. Hughes in the convo at this point in the season. Still too early to say, but this has been a great NHL season for individual players stories so far.
With respect to Matthews - he is clearly the best goal scorer of this generation. He might well outscore Ovi when it is all said and done he's that good. Toronto is lucky to have him.
Not sure. I’m not an analytics guy. Simple stats are all I know.
You’re also conveniently ignoring giveaways.
But think whatever you want. I think stats and the eye test show that it’s not even close when you talk about defensive play.
McD is the best player on the planet but that’s despite his defensive play. Not in any way because of it
Aashir Mallik
Backcheck, Forecheck, Paycheque
- Apr 19, 2019
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That’s a fair way to look at it
I just think there’s only so much you can do if you don’t make the playoffs. If you help your team go from a say bottom 8 team vs the 18-20th place team then idk if you really were as valuable to your team as say someone like Mcdavid who not only helped his team claw back into the playoffs, but also a top 10 team. mackinnon is scoring at a somewhat similar rate on a top 5 team. Matthews scoring 25% of his teams goals on a top 10 team.
Even if I don’t believe kucherov should win the hart if he doesn’t make the playoffs, this isn’t a situation where he’d “rob” anyone by winning it anyways per say, but I do believe his case becomes weaker than if he does make the playoffs. And in a race that’s as strong as this one, that could be enough for someone else to jump him
But yea this will probably be one of the better hart trophy races, the past couple of years it’s been a two or one man race and a couple dark horses but right now we have a solid 4-5 guys each deserving and a couple other dark horses for at least votes.
