Auston Matthews or David Pastrnak: Who has the better chance at winning the Rocket Richard Trophy?

[Neutral Hockey Fan]

When talking about the absolute pinnacle of Matthews hockey career, the best and most special moment he has experienced, do you talk about the hat trick he had in his first game, or do you talk about how he had a 4 goal game? Personally, I call it a 4 goal game. But I can see why leaf fans seem to believe the best Matthews hockey moment of all time (kinda sad that that is his greatest moment in hockey now that it has been mentioned) is his lone hat trick almost 300 games ago

 

[danpantz]

This hat trick/4 goal game argument is one of the dumbest things i've ever seen on this board

 

[LeafsNation75]

Why one "would think that he would have had a hat trick in at least 1 or 2 games"? Matthews has never had an hat trick in his entire career so far (257 games, he's in his fourth season. He had that 4 goals game in his first game ever though).

Pastrnak has 7 hat tricks in his career. This season alone, he has a 4-goals game and two hat tricks. Pasta > Matthews, again.

My opinion is that if a player has eight games scoring at least 2 goals, you would think they should have at least 1 or 2 hat tricks and so far this season that hasn't happened for Matthews.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

This hat trick/4 goal game argument is one of the dumbest things i've ever seen on this board

It's what happens when people prefer arguing semantics over real topics.

 

[LeafsNation75]

For those saying Matthews scoring 4 goals in his debut doesn't count as a hat trick I'm not sure if you are serious about that or are just trolling, take a look at the hats thrown on the ice after Matthews 3rd goal against Ottawa in his debut. Last time I checked fans only throw hats on the ice when a player scores a hat trick.

 

[Neutral Hockey Fan]

Tell me where I said it's not fair that Matthews hasn't scored any hat tricks this season? It's just an observation and I the only game where Matthews was robbed of one was on opening night when he had an empty net to get a hat trick and was taken down.

That’s a lot of words for simply saying “so far this season (and last season), Pastrnak is a better goal scorer than Matthews”.

But it’s nice to finally see you admit that. You could have saved yourself a lot of time if you had just said that earlier, but at least you finally reached that obvious conclusion. Kudos! Cheers

 

[Kelly]

It's what happens when people prefer arguing semantics over real topics.

are you new to HF?

Arguing over semantics, whether or not a thread is worthy and taking jabs at fanbases is like 80% of the discussion.

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

I mean a healthy Bruins and Pasta is what I'll go with. He has a decent lead and hes put in a position to succeed.

Matthew's is in a position to succeed now but if he had that all season could have closed the gap.

Should be a good bout but anyone can win it still.

 

[Petrus]

I will take the guy who is leading the race.

 

[Apotheosis]

Every time you see a car in the streets, it's a three wheeler with an extra wheel according to your logic, I guess.

A 4 goals game isn't an hat trick, no matter how you spin it. Matthews never had a hat trick, he had a 4 goal game.

Did you seriously think of that car analogy and type it out?

 

[wintersej]

For those saying Matthews scoring 4 goals in his debut doesn't count as a hat trick I'm not sure if you are serious about that or are just trolling, take a look at the hats thrown on the ice after Matthews 3rd goal against Ottawa in his debut. Last time I checked fans only throw hats on the ice when a player scores a hat trick.

you didn’t hear the team gave them back their hats after the 4th goal was scored?

 

[Ladyfan]

Bruins fan I hope it is Pasta. Love that kid !

 

[Spazkat]

Went with Pasta. Does anyone really think Matthews is going to make it to the end of the season without another injury?

 

[LeafsNation75]

Went with Pasta. Does anyone really think Matthews is going to make it to the end of the season without another injury?

I honestly think Matthews plays all 82 games this season and I know he had some injuries the last 2 seasons, but people seem to forget he played all 82 games his rookie season and scored 40 goals. So he's ahead of that pace this season.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Went with Pasta. Does anyone really think Matthews is going to make it to the end of the season without another injury?

You do realize that Pastrnak missed more time to injury last year and over his career, right?

 

[LeafsNation75]

With Matthews hat trick tonight that now gives him 34 goals and he's only 2 behind Pastrnak.

 

[MoreMogilny]

Two amazing goal scorers battling it out in the same division.

Some turd is going to steal it from them

 

[34]

With Matthews hat trick tonight that now gives him 34 goals and he's only 2 behind Pastrnak.

Don’t sleep on Matthews. He is going to set the bar here.

 

[Atomos2]

Two amazing goal scorers battling it out in the same division.

Some turd is going to steal it from them

 

[Trap Jesus]

Too bad for Matthews if you get 3 or more goals in a game it doesn't count

 

[WillTheThrill]

Matthews has 20 goals in 24 games since Keefe took over. I’ll go with him.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Too bad for Matthews if you get 3 or more goals in a game it doesn't count

So when Pastrnak had that 4 goal game against Anaheim this season by your definition you wouldn't count him having a hat trick that night?

 

[Merrrlin]

So when I voted Matthews there was like a 12 goal gap...it’s somehow down to 1.

 

[34]

Matthews has 20 goals in 24 games since Keefe took over. I’ll go with him.

Wow that is impressive.

20 goals in 24 games. It is not unrealistic to say Matthews hits 60 goals.

 

[Apotheosis]

It's going to come down to the wire. I think at least one of them finishes with 60 goals tbh. Matthews won't slow down. He's hitting a different level under Keefe. He's sniffing top 5 in points too lol. But Pasta's line is still insane and so is their PP so it'll be close.