Horrendous Auston Matthews Statistic a Real Cause for Concern for the Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off of a tough 5-4 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of their second round series.

While the team has looked strong overall, one key player has yet to fully find his goal scoring rhythm -- team captain Auston Matthews.

Known as one of the league's most prolific goal scorers, Matthews has gone unusually quiet in these playoffs. His struggles are highlighted by a surprising, and troubling statistic, as noted by Luke Fox on X:

Despite the lack of goals, Matthews has excelled in nearly every other aspect of the game. His defensive play and physical presence have drawn praise from head coach Craig Berube, who has essentially called him the perfect role model for the team.

However, Matthews has been battling injuries all season, missing time and appearing in only 67 games during the regular season.

His scoring output has dropped significantly this season, netting just 33 goals after scoring 69 just one season ago.

While Matthews is averaging over a point per game in the playoffs, his limited goal production has been noticeable.

Still, with the Leafs holding a series lead and looking like legitimate contenders, a scoring surge from their captain could be the key to a deeper playoff run. If Matthews finds his scoring touch, Toronto may have its best shot at a championship in decades.