Matthews aims for milestone, momentum ahead of playoffs

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

Follow| Archive

The Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings skated at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday.

What would 60 goals mean to Auston Matthews? 

"It'd mean a lot, but it's also not the end of the world either," the Leafs centre said. "There's more to this season than accomplishing that."

Matthews has been held without a goal in two games since returning from an undisclosed injury. Overall, he's gone five games without scoring, which is his longest drought of the season. He's been stuck at 58 goals since potting a pair against the Montreal Canadiens on April 9.  

"I imagine he'll be going tonight, and we'll hope that one falls for him," said coach Sheldon Keefe. "But as long as his legs are moving and he's working on both sides of the puck and he's generating chances, I think that's all he's looking for. He has enough confidence in himself that goals will come."

Matthews fired 11 shots on net over the weekend and picked up two assists during Sunday's win in Washington. 

"I've had some really good opportunities of late," he said. "As long as I'm getting those opportunities, I know they'll fall."

The chances didn't fall in last year's playoffs when Matthews scored just once in seven games against the Montreal Canadiens. The pressure will be immense when the postseason opens next week, and the Leafs want Matthews going in feeling as good as possible.  

"He's a guy that's used to scoring and it feels good when you're scoring," acknowledged Keefe. 

Only two players – Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos and Washington's Alex Ovechkin – have scored 60 goals in a season during the salary-cap era. When Matthews scored his 50th goal on March 31, he was mobbed by teammates in the dressing room afterwards. The group is eager