Auston Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs' star forward and a contender for the Rocket Richard Trophy, is facing a puzzling start to his season, currently on pace for a mere 32 goals — a steep decline from the 69 he scored last year. Given that only 23 players in NHL history have reached the 60-goal milestone, and only five have done so at least three times, the anticipation of another 60-goal season for Matthews was high. However, 13 games into the season, he has mustered only five goals, and none of them have been of the multi-goal variety, which is unusual for a player of his caliber.

While Matthews remains a force on the ice, his current shooting percentage sits at a career-low of 8.9%, a stark contrast from his remarkable 18.7% shooting percentage from last season. His five-on-five shooting is down to 5.9%, and he has only one power-play goal thus far, significantly trailing behind his previous performances. Despite his continued ability to generate quality scoring chances, he appears unable to convert them into goals, which raises concerns among fans and analysts.

Several factors seem to be contributing to this unexpected slump:

1. **Bad Luck and Missed Opportunities**: Matthews has been consistently shooting but is struggling to convert those shots into goals. For instance, while he was among the elite in midrange shots last season, his current attempts are not finding their target. A notable example was his close call in the recent game against Minnesota, showcasing his ongoing battle with puck luck.

2. **Power Play Struggles**: Last season, Matthews capitalized on the power play, recording a career-high 18 goals while on the man advantage. This season, however, the Leafs' power play has faltered, limiting Matthews to just one power-play goal. The Leafs must find ways to reinvigorate their power play if they hope to support Matthews in regaining his scoring touch.

3. **Increased Defensive Responsibilities**: This season, Matthews is facing tougher matchups, as he has been deployed in more defensive situations, with a noticeably higher percentage of his ice time spent in the defensive zone. The lack of a solid two-way third line has forced him and his linemate Mitch Marner to bear an increased burden in their own zone, which in turn impacts their ability to generate offensive opportunities.

Interestingly, a similarity can be drawn between Matthews' current numbers and the start of his 2021-22 campaign, during which he recorded six goals over his first 13 games after recovering from wrist surgery. Following that slow start, he exploded for 54 goals over the remaining 60 games.

As the season progresses, there are signs that Matthews' luck could soon change. There is optimism that he’ll bounce back to his prolific scoring ways. In fact, he's only five goals behind the league leaders in goals scored, showcasing that the potential for an impressive turnaround remains.

In addition to Matthews, there are other dynamics at play with the Maple Leafs that could influence the overall performance:

- **Depth Scoring Issues**: The Leafs have struggled to find consistent scoring depth beyond their star players. Several key contributors, including Max Domi and Nick Robertson, have yet to find their groove, putting additional pressure on the top line to score.

- **Jani Hakanpää's Arrival**: The addition of defenseman Jani Hakanpää could reshape the defensive lineup, but raises concerns about depth after trading Timothy Liljegren. The impact of Hakanpää's arrival will be worth monitoring as the season unfolds.

Ultimately, both Matthews and the Maple Leafs must work collaboratively to overcome these early-season hurdles. Fans will be anxiously watching to see if Matthews can shake off this uncharacteristic start, and perhaps even reclaim his status as one of the NHL’s elite goal scorers. If anyone can make it happen, it’s the talented Auston Matthews, who is known for his resilience and ability to rise to the occasion. Stay tuned for more updates on what promises to be an intriguing season for the Leafs!