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Auston Matthews shows skill with one-handed deflection goal (Video)

By Dave Stevenson

Dec 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) skates the puck up ice as Anaheim Ducks forward Antoine Vermette (50) gives chase in the second period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) skates the puck up ice as Anaheim Ducks forward Antoine Vermette (50) gives chase in the second period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Auston Matthews scored on a very impressive one-handed deflection with skill usually only used by a Jedi. 

After his record-setting debut, Auston Matthews is no longer under the radar. The 2016 first overall pick has lived up to expectations in Toronto so far and then some.

Against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday Dec. 19, Matthews added another goal to his repertoire. But it wasn’t one of his usual dazzling goals. It was something even more special. Matthews scored on a one-handed deflection.

That’s simply not fair. Matthews puts in an impressive initial shot from Nikita Zaitsev, a fellow rookie. Toronto has been led this season by its young stars. Obviously, Matthews is the cream of the crop, as he now has 15 goals in his first 31 games. It seems his time overseas served him well.

Matthews was able to play against grown men as opposed to his peers. While it’s not conventional, it seems to have worked for him. Though he doesn’t have the sexy numbers of Patrik Laine, Matthews has been more dominant without question.

It’s not just the first overall pick that’s dominating. Zaitsev has been doing well too with 11 points in his first 31 games. The 25-year-old Russian came to the Maple Leafs from the KHL. Also, Mitch Marner and William Nylander, the 2015 and 2014 first round picks respectively, have been dominant at times for Toronto.

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With his goal, Matthews also has 24 points, second among all rookies, trailing only Laine. After some very painful years, the Leafs are finally reaping the benefits of their high picks. Matthews is leading the way, but it’s telling that each of their past three first round picks are doing so. Head coach Mike Babcock isn’t prone to smiling, but even he has to be impressed with his young players. Especially the 2016 first overall pick.

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