NHL Power Rankings: Auston Matthews lifts Maple Leafs into top 10 with scoring barrage

Matthews has powered the Leafs up the standings and the power rankings

By Austin Nivison Feb 21, 2024 at 11:39 am ET• 1 min read

The Toronto Maple Leafs have finally started to roll, and one player is driving all that success. Auston Matthews has been on a tear all season, but he has somehow kicked it up a notch over the last few games. Now, he has Toronto surging up the NHL Power Rankings.

Last week was a big one for Matthews as he scored hat tricks in consecutive games for the second time this season. He is just the fifth player in NHL history to accomplish that feat, and he is on pace for 75 goals, which is an absurd feat in today's game.

Matthews' next goal will be his 50th of the season, and he has thrust himself into the Hart Trophy conversation. Maybe he gets knocked for his lack of assists, but the last time I checked, putting the puck in the net is pretty important when it comes to winning hockey games.

The Leafs have been doing a lot of winning lately, thanks in large part to Matthews' habit of scoring early and often. Toronto is now third place in the Atlantic Division, and it has a three-point edge over the Tampa Bay Lightning with three games in hand. The Maple Leafs may not be the most complete team, but when Matthews is playing like this, they are going to have a chance to win every night.