Auston Matthews leads all NHL forwards in blocked shots, surprising Toronto Maple Leafs fans.
Let's face it: the Toronto sniper isn't just a goal-scoring machine. This unexpected defensive statistic is generating plenty of discussion at sports bars this morning.
With a monstrous total of 417 blocked shots over the past five seasons, the Toronto captain leads all NHL forwards. Elias Pettersson ranks second with 385 blocked shots.
In this surprising ranking, Alex Tuch completes the podium with 380 blocked shots for his team. Alexander Wennberg and veteran Anze Kopitar follow closely behind with 355 and 351, respectively.
We can all agree that No. 34 does tremendous work without the puck in the defensive zone. His record also includes 304 takeaways over that same productive period.
Seeing this level of defensive commitment from their star player commands a certain amount of respect.
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Auston Matthews' latest achievement will silence his biggest critics
There's no doubt about it: facing a team led by such a leader makes Martin St. Louis' job much more difficult. Every matchup against Toronto requires crisp, mistake-free execution.
While Toronto relies on its great leader, the Canadiens, Bruins and Senators continue their rapid rebuild with optimism. The rivalry promises to produce incredible fireworks throughout the upcoming season.
It remains to be seen whether this impressive dedication will finally help the Leafs triumph in the playoffs. The battle for the top of our division promises to remain absolutely captivating until the spring.
As training camp approaches, this well-rounded performance proves that their franchise possesses a formidable weapon. Saturday night hockey already promises to be electric on television.
Is Auston Matthews the most complete player in the NHL?
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