Eklund: Bigger Accomplishment This Year: McDavid's Points or Matthews Goals? Buzz@1

McDavid, not even close. If he hits 100, it would be nothing short of amazing.

Apples and oranges. Both amazing.

McDavid hitting 100 points in 56 games would be an honestly astounding feat.

Especially when you consider that the worst goalie in the North Division is actually in the Oilers net.

McGalactus. Not close.

What they've both done is nothing short of amazing, however, McDavid's current points per game are among the highest in league history....he obviously wins. Matthews goals, although fantastic, aren't even in the 50-50 club range. A bench-mark for generational goal scorers.

McDavid 100%

Scoring 100 points in a shortened season is just ridiculous. Usually takes elite players 82 games to hit that mark

While 40 goals is amazing. 100 point mark is just a much bigger accomplishment

What they've both done is nothing short of amazing, however, McDavid's current points per game are among the highest in league history....he obviously wins. Matthews goals, although fantastic, aren't even in the 50-50 club range. A bench-mark for generational goal scorers.
- DraftandDestroy

It helps that they both play in a sh*tty division.

What they've both done is nothing short of amazing, however, McDavid's current points per game are among the highest in league history....he obviously wins. Matthews goals, although fantastic, aren't even in the 50-50 club range. A bench-mark for generational goal scorers.
- DraftandDestroy

Yeah.

Not to discount what Matthews has done here, because it's incredible, but we've seen it before from Ovechkin recently. We haven't seen numbers like McDavid is putting up in nearly 30 years.

Yeah.

Not to discount what Matthews has done here, because it's incredible, but we've seen it before from Ovechkin recently. We haven't seen numbers like McDavid is putting up in nearly 30 years.
- BINGO!

Exactly this. Great for Matthews, and I love that it's an American right now that is the best goal-scorer in the NHL. If it were a full 82-game schedule, he would have broken Mike Modano's 55-goal record for most scored in 1 season by an American born player. And he will probably do it next season, and I hope he pushes 70-goals even.

But McDavid is on another level completely from everyone else in the league. He is already pushing top-3 for all-time .ppg as it is... Can he get even better?

Yeah.

Not to discount what Matthews has done here, because it's incredible, but we've seen it before from Ovechkin recently. We haven't seen numbers like McDavid is putting up in nearly 30 years.
- BINGO!

Matthews goal per game rate is the highest since Lemieux's 1996 season as well....

Neither only winning the Stanley cup matters

Anyway

We should talk about the remaining games in the central division...

The playoff matchups are basically already set.

It's CAR vs NSH
TBL vs FLA.

Kicker is that, going into the playoffs, Tampa and Florida play each other twice to finish their seasons, and Carolina and Nashville play twice to finish off theirs.

What do those games look like? Are they bloodbaths trying to send a message, or do both teams coast, trying not to tip their hands knowing that the ones that really count come later?

McDavid has 65 assists. Marner has 66 points. He's the highest scoring player not named Draisaitl or McDavid.

Great that Matthews is scoring goals, but, he's a one dimensional player and isn't carrying a team on his back.

This is a no brainer.

McDavid's PPG this season is 25th best of all time. While Matthews GPG is 30th best.

McDavid's is the bigger accomplishment for that reason, but both are incredible.

Both great accomplishments

McDavid has 65 assists. Marner has 66 points. He's the highest scoring player not named Draisaitl or McDavid.

Great that Matthews is scoring goals, but, he's a one dimensional player and isn't carrying a team on his back.

This is a no brainer.
- umcolin

lol, clearly you don't watch hockey....Matthews isn't a one dimensional player, he is a better two-way player than McDavid, uses his size well and is a way better faceoff guy then McDavid

Both great.. but yeah Mcdavid hands down.

Will be a fantastic playoff series if it happens. Edm vs Tor

Not to nitpick, but AM has 40 goals in 49 games, making his projected goal totals higher than what’s reported here. Splitting hairs though

Both incredible feats. AM is the more complete player, superior defensively, etc. And goals are much more difficult to pile up than assists. But I might still lean slightly to McD. He’s crazy good

lol, clearly you don't watch hockey....Matthews isn't a one dimensional player, he is a better two-way player than McDavid, uses his size well and is a way better faceoff guy then McDavid
- TVR.MapleLeafs

Using his size well and taking faceoffs makes him a better two way player than McDavid? Matthews is one dimensional offensively, he scores goals but doesn't do nearly as much as McDavid does to create something from nothing.

You must watch just Leaves games.

What is this comment section today? No one yelling that they're first, ridiculing Eklund's proofreading, slinging mud at one another or replying with memes and/or emojis, just pure, thoughtful, respectful discussion of the topic. So disappointing!

Matthews goals, although fantastic, aren't even in the 50-50 club range. A bench-mark for generational goal scorers.
- DraftandDestroy

In term's of ability, Ovechkin is the greatest goal scorer in hockey history. He's never done 50-50. That so called bench-mark isn't relevant in today's game.

Using his size well and taking faceoffs makes him a better two way player than McDavid? Matthews is one dimensional offensively, he scores goals but doesn't do nearly as much as McDavid does to create something from nothing.

You must watch just Leaves games.
- umcolin

McDavid is the deadlier offensive player. He is a generational playmaker and elite goal scorer.

Matthews is an elite goal scorer, but a much better two-way player. He is pretty strong defensively as he takes away passing lanes, throws hits and frequently strips pucks. He's got more size, which he does use to his advantage on both ends of the ice. On top of that he's great at faceoffs.
Matthews is still a strong playmaker, and should be a consistent 40+ assist guy if he ever plays 82 games. He plays most of his minutes with Marner and Hyman, neither of which are pure goal scorers.
The leafs power play has been terrible this season. Maybe it's a case of Matthews and rest of the Leafs start studded squad sucking, but it's more likely an issue with the team's system/coaching. If this is the case, you can assume Matthews Goals/Assists totals would see a nice boost.
Matthews may not be the playmaker that McDavid is, but he is one of the best Offensive players in the NHL. To call him one dimensional is frankly ignorant.

Both depend on how well the Canadian teams fare in the post season. If the Oil or Leafs get blown away in the semi-final, then its not that impressive - they played joke competition all year and reaped the benefits.

how many games did Mcjesus miss this season? Pretty amazing feat for both, lets not forget Matthews accomplished this with a wrist issue and ....missed 5 games?