Can Auston Matthews score 70 goals in 2023-24?

For practically another participant within the Nationwide Hockey League, a 40-goal season could be close to the highest of his profession achievements.

For Toronto Maple Leafs ahead Auston Matthews, his 40 objectives in 2022-23 have been his lowest single-season complete since 2018-19. Many followers of the staff and those that cowl the Maple Leafs would go as far as to name it a “down yr” for the 2022 Hart Trophy winner.

Two video games into the 2023-24 NHL season, nevertheless, Matthews has silenced the doubters, recording back-to-back hat tips, a feat not finished since Washington Capitals ahead Alex Ovechkin did it in 2017-18.

On Monday’s episode of “Day by day Faceoff Stay,” Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk talk about the red-hot begin to the 2023-24 season for Matthews and if the 26-year-old might rating hit the 70-goal mark this season.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Auston Matthews is again dwelling within the aim column: six objectives in two video games for a completely exceptional begin to the season. He’s taking pictures 46 per cent, Frank! I’m not a numbers man, I do know that’s not sustainable, however this begin provides him an enormous cushion for the remainder of the yr. What’s the goal-scoring ceiling for Matthews in 2023-24?

Frank Seravalli: I don’t assume there’s a ceiling, and that’s the sincere reply. Should you have been to inform me that, by April, Auston Matthews can have 70 objectives and be the NHL’s first 70-goal scorer in 30-plus years (Teemu Selanne with 76 for the Winnipeg Jets in 1992-93), I’d say: “Yeah, okay, that is smart.”

Well being goes to play an enormous issue, however I see no purpose why Matthews can’t get again to the extent he seemed to be at a pair seasons in the past when he received the Hart Trophy. It is a particular participant and he seems like he has his swagger again — I hate the time period swag — however once you have a look at Matthews, there’s this cool issue to him, this quiet confidence.

That didn’t exist final yr. There was this aura of invincibility that existed round Matthews for years, however was punctured final season. I’m going to chalk most of that to well being since he acknowledged final March that his hand and wrist harm was nonetheless actually bothering him. Possibly that’s how one can clarify going from 60 to 40 objectives. However for me, he’s again.

You’ll be able to watch the complete present right here…