TAMPA – Aston Matthews assessed what a special night it was for him and his family at the 2022 NHL Awards on Tuesday.
The Toronto Center Maple Leafs won the Hart Trophy, voted the NHL’s Most Valuable Player by the Professional Hockey Writers ‘Association, and the Ted Lindsay Award for the Most Outstanding Player in the League, according to the NHL Players’ Association.
But the return of Amalie Arena to speak to the media afterwards has made Matthews think about what could be for Maple Leafs this season, as well as his individual achievements.
“I’m always trying to set goals and I’m just trying to be the best I can be,” Matthews said. “But I think I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a little, I guess, anger that you wish you were still playing, obviously right now. Especially when I came back here.
The last time Matthews was in the building, the Maple Leafs had a chance at their first win in the Stanley Cup playoff series since 2004, but lost 4-3 after Tampa Bay Lightning overtime in Game 6 of the Eastern Round. conference. The Lightning won 2-1 in Game 7 in Toronto to eliminate Maple Leafs and continue their quest to win the Stanley Cup for the third season in a row.
Tampa Bay overtook Colorado Avelanch 2-1 in the Stanley Cup final and is heading for match 4 of the top 7 of 7 games here on Wednesday (20:00 ET; ABC, ESPN +, CBC, SN, TVAS).
“Of course I watched,” Matthews said. “It’s hard to say. I watched for so long. I’ve been watching this time of year for six or seven years. So I think everyone knows, understands and realizes how difficult it is. You need a lot of things to do your way and certain things.
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“We played a really good team in Tampa and there is a reason for them to return here to the Stanley Cup final for the third year in a row. So I think these are all things that I guess we can learn from.
Matthews was the third Maple Leafs player to win the Hart Trophy, joining Ted Kennedy (1955) and Babe Pratt (1944), and the first to win the Ted Lindsay Award. Born in San Ramon, California, he is the second U.S.-born player to win Hart and Ted Lindsey after Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2016.
Matthews’ other finalists included Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid and New York Rangers goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin for Hart and McDavid and Nashville Predators defender Roman Josie for Lindsay.
“It’s good. I can’t lie,” Matthews said. “I feel really good. It’s special for my family to be here with me. A lot of great players in this room, a lot of really deserving boys. Definitely quite special.”
Video: Austin Matthews wins Ted Lindsay Award
Matthews set a Maple Leafs record of 60 goals, breaking the mark set by Rick Wave, 54, in 1981-82, and won the Rocket Richard Trophy for the second consecutive season as the NHL leader. The first player to score so much this season since Stephen Stamkos scored 60 for the Lightning in 2011-12, Matthews also set the record for most goals for a US-born player of the season.
Matthews tied Stamkos sixth in the NHL with 106 points (46 assists) in 73 games to help Toronto (54-21-7) finish with the most wins and points (115) in its history and qualify for the playoffs for the sixth season in a row. But Matthews hopes to add success in the playoffs to his Maple Leafs summary next season.
“I think it’s a great honor to wear blue and white and represent the city of Toronto and wear a maple leaf every night,” he said. “The boys who came before us and only the story that started in this organization means a lot. So every time you mention your name in history in such an organization, it’s definitely quite special and something I don’t take for granted. “
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