Matthews Keeps Scoring — Weekly Roundup Vol. 3

It’s time to recap what went on in the NHL this week — including Auston Matthews ridiculous scoring pace, the return of David Pastrnak, dominance in both Sin City and Tampa Bay, and the emergence of a Stanley Cup contender…

Auston “Mustachews” Matthews Historic Pace…

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews is currently on pace to score fifty goals in fifty-six games. Just for context, if this was a regular eighty-two game season, he would be on pace for about seventy-three goals, which would be the most in a season since the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy was established in 1999.

The kid from Scottsdale, Arizona, is not actually going to reach fifty goals. That would be unheard of and instantly become the greatest season in the modern era of the NHL. With that said, Matthews is looking to become the first American-born player to win the trophy, and has a great opportunity to do it this year with ten goals in eleven games so far.

Pasta returns…

The Boston Bruins are a team that finds a way to win night after night and year after year. The Presidents’ Trophy winners of last year are back to their winning ways despite the exit of longtime emotional leader and extra-large captain, defenseman Zdeno Chara.

There were certainly doubts heading into this season, which saw the B’s placed into the realigned and tougher East Division with an ancient core, featuring thirty-five year old center Patrice Bergeron, thirty-two year old winger Brad Marchand, and thirty-four year old center David Krejci, and playing without star forward David Pastrnak for a period of time. None of that has seemed to matter to coach Bruce Cassidy’s squad, who have won eight of their first eleven tilts and sit at a familiar number one spot in the division.

After missing the teams first eight matchups, Pasta has scored five goals and added three apples in just four games. The twenty-four year old Czech native is back to his scoring ways after a season which saw him share the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for having the most goals in the NHL. This is bad news for the rest of the East. I see a lot more Dunkin’ Donuts commercials and a lot more goals in Pasta’s future.

Sin City and Tampa Bay both off to amazing starts…

Coming into the season the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights were among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup, and they have not disappointed. At the start of week five, both teams sit at 7-1-1 and at the top of their respective divisions.

The defending champion Lightning are playing without their best player, winger Nikita Kucherov, but in return they are finally getting a healthy season out of forward Steven Stamkos, who is one of the league’s best scorers. It is impressive what this team is able to do whilst dealing with injuries.

Meanwhile in Vegas, winger Mark Stone, the newly- named captain, is leading the way with fourteen points in nine games. Coming off of their COVID-19 pause, they swept a two game series against the Kings, and have a fairly easy schedule this week, playing the Anaheim Ducks twice before stopping in San Jose on Saturday. The real test comes on Sunday when they welcome the Colorado Avalanche to town in a battle of juggernauts.

Winning in Winnipeg…

The Winnipeg Jets have very quietly gone 7-3-1 in their first eleven games of the season. They are anchored by goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, awarded to the most outstanding goalie.

This is a team that features arguably the best one-two punch at center in the NHL, with two natural centers in Mark Schiefele and Pierre-Luc Dubois. With such depth in their top twelve forward group and an excellent goaltender, the Jets just might surprise people. This is also a team that features great size and plays a physical brand of hockey, which makes them well equipped for the playoffs, should they be playing in them at the end of the fifty-six game regular season.

Hellebuyck has not yet elevated his game to the same level as last season and Pierre-Luc Dubois will likely take a few weeks to start feeling comfortable in a new system, but once those two things happen, this team will be tough to play against.

Peter’s Power Rankings: The Top 10 Teams Right Now.

Last week’s ranking in parentheses.

1. Boston Bruins (4)

2. Toronto Maple Leafs (6)

3. Tampa Bay Lightning (2)

4. Vegas Golden Knights (3)

5. Montréal Canadiens (1)

6. Philadelphia Flyers (Not ranked)

7. Carolina Hurricanes (8)

8. Colorado Avalanche (7)

9. Winnipeg Jets (Not ranked)

10. Washington Capitals (5)

What to watch this week…

Another action packed Saturday this week, featuring the top two North division teams and a rematch of the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes.

Canadiens at Maple Leafs: Saturday, February 13th at 4pm PST

Hurricanes at Stars: Saturday, February 13th at 5pm PST