Prominent NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman has narrowed down the reason why Leafs captain Auston Matthews has been in a scoring slump, and it's intriguing. Through three games this season, Auston <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/polarizing-former-nhl-coach-believes-the-maple-leafs-are-closer-to-winning-a-stanley-cup-under-craig-berube' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Matthews has yet to record a point</a>. That is indeed uncharacteristic for a <a href='https://www.markerzone.com/hockey/stats/nhl/trophies.php?no=11' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner</a>, but the <a href='https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Toronto Maple Leafs</a> have played well enough to win all three games, aside from a great performance turned in by Sam Montembeault in the season opener for the Canadiens. That being the case, there is indeed very little concern with the early-season scoreless streak that Matthews has been on. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Chris_Jast/status/1846372061859434767'> </a></blockquote></div> This brings us to the most recent episode of '32 Thoughts: The Podcast', where Elliotte Friedman gave some interesting insight into Matthews' mindset during the whole thing. According to Friedman, Matthews wasn't sweating <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/toronto-maple-leafs-give-a-major-update-on-joseph-woll-return-from-injury' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>the lack of production</a> and seemed to be even more committed to playing the right way since becoming team captain. Matthews has no points after 3 games. It's rare for him, but it's not unheard of, but I thought the thing that was really interesting was I got a couple of texts from people who were like 'he's doing different stuff out there... what one guy said to me was that they put the C on him, and they say it's wrong to say that he didn't care about defense before, because he did, but it's almost like they said it raised him to like a higher level of consciousness about what he's suppose to be, right? And what the captain is supposed to be. He might dispute that. I'm not sure he would like that, because he takes great pride in how well-rounded he wanted to be in the first place, but a couple of guys did say to me -- he doesn't give away a lot, but he almost looks completely unbothered by the fact that he's not producing while they're winning. He's trying to be even more detailed than he was... I just thought that was an interesting take on him so far. - Elliotte Friedman One of the truly elite goal-scorers in the world, there's no reason to be concerned about Matthews not scoring yet. The goals will come; however, his commitment to a more complete game could be the key to unlocking greater playoff success, especially with the improvements made to Toronto's defense and goaltending. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/domluszczyszyn/status/1846374973654577353'> </a></blockquote></div> Already considered one of two of the best two-way forwards in the league, <a href='https://www.mapleleafsdaily.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/reason-for-auston-matthews-early-season-scoring-slump-for-the-leafs-revealed' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Matthews has gained accolades</a> for his defensive work, receiving some consideration for the Selke Trophy. With the new captaincy and added emphasis on defense, he is setting an example to teammates further solidifying his leadership by upping his overall game. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/GinoHard_/status/1846394616985370795'> </a></blockquote></div> It's time to panic, not. Auston Matthews isn't panicking, and neither are the Leafs. Scoring 69 in one season proves there isn't a significant problem with his offense. The goals will come, and as long as Matthews is focusing on the right things, so will his teammates, which makes this team more powerful overall.