Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is showing a new side to his game this season. While his goal scoring has dipped, his contribution on the penalty kill has reached a career high. Matthews, known for his scoring touch, has taken on more defensive responsibilities under new coach Craig Berube — and it’s changing the way he impacts games.
Matthews’ New Role on the Penalty Kill
This season, Matthews has logged 95 minutes and 39 seconds of penalty-kill ice time — a massive jump from the 57 minutes last year and just under four minutes in the 2022-23 season. He’s now being trusted as a key piece on the penalty kill, often being the first forward Berube sends out when the Leafs are short-handed. His average time on the penalty kill is now 1:37 per game.
Berube praised Matthews’ defensive efforts, saying, “He wins draws. He’s got a great stick, blocks shots. He does all the things you need to on the penalty kill.” This speaks volumes about Matthews’ evolution into a complete two-way player.
Impact on 5-on-5 Scoring
While Matthews is excelling in his new role, it seems to have come at a cost. His 5-on-5 ice time has dropped from 15:19 last season to 14:14 this season. And though his total ice time remains about the same, that shift in usage is having an effect on his production.
At 5-on-5, Matthews has only scored 12 goals with a shooting percentage of 8.3% — well below his usual standard. The only time his goals-per-game average was this low was during his rookie season. Injuries have also played a part, but his role in Berube’s defensive system may be the bigger factor.
Berube’s System and Its Effect on Matthews
Berube’s coaching style places more defensive responsibility on the centre position. Matthews is often the third or fourth player to leave the defensive zone, which limits his ability to generate offense off the rush — one of his biggest strengths. The Leafs are also dumping the puck more often under Berube, reducing Matthews’ ability to make plays in transition.
Winger William Nylander, on the other hand, is having a career-best season with 42 goals. As a winger, he’s given more freedom to exit the zone early and create scoring chances off the rush. That positional difference has allowed Nylander to thrive in a system where Matthews is being asked to hold back more often.
Offensive Zone Starts Are Down
Another subtle but important change in Matthews’ usage is his starting position. He’s beginning more of his shifts in the defensive zone than ever before. This season, only 58.21% of his shifts begin in the offensive zone — a significant drop compared to over 60% in each of the past three seasons. In fact, he’s had more defensive zone starts (239) this season than in any other year of his career.
Still a Key Player in All Situations
Despite the dip in goals, Matthews remains one of Toronto’s most important players. Whether it’s killing penalties, generating chances on the power play, or winning battles in close games, his presence is always felt. Against the Kings, he delivered a standout performance, scoring shorthanded and assisting on the power-play game-winner — a clear sign that he can still take over games in key moments.
Auston Matthews is evolving into a complete player this season, stepping up defensively and becoming a reliable penalty killer for the first time in his career. But that added responsibility has come with a dip in his goal-scoring numbers, especially at 5-on-5.
As the Leafs head into the playoffs, the challenge will be to find the right balance — allowing Matthews to continue being a force in the defensive zone without sacrificing his offensive production. With the right adjustments, Matthews could once again become the ultimate game-changer Toronto needs.
