Toronto Maple Leafs

More Than Goals: The Hidden Side of Matthews’ Game

Matthews’ blocked-shot numbers quietly challenge old narratives — and hint at a more complete game than he’s often credited for.

by
Old Prof
May 23, 2026

Auston Matthews showing up near the top of the NHL in blocked shots per game is one of those stats that runs counter to a lot of the usual narratives about him. There’s always been this idea floating around that he’s mostly offensive. He’s all goal scoring, but not much grit. But seeing him sitting third in the league in blocks per game last season, right up there with guys like Brandon Tanev, makes that harder to stick.

Top Four NHL Forwards in Blocked Shots Per Game (2025–26 Regular Season)

Rank	Player	Blocks	Games	Blocks/Game
1	Alex Tuch	113	82	1.378
2	Brandon Tanev	105	79	1.329
3	Auston Matthews	89	67	1.328
4	Noel Acciari	100	79	1.266

Takeaway: Matthews sitting right near the top of this list quietly challenges the idea that he’s strictly an offensive player — his defensive engagement shows up more in habits than headlines.

Matthews Players Fewer Games than Other Shot-Block Leaders

Context matters here. Matthews played fewer games than Tuch and Tanev, so the raw totals don’t tell the full story, but the per-game rate does. That’s the key part. Blocks per game isn’t about volume; it’s about habit. It’s about whether you consistently put yourself in those spots when you’re on the ice, and Matthews clearly does.

It also says something about how he plays the game. Shot blocking isn’t glamorous, and nobody’s posting highlight reels of it. But it’s a willingness thing. You don’t accidentally finish that high on the list. You choose to get in lanes, you choose to take hits, and you choose to do it repeatedly. For a player who gets labelled as “all offence,” that matters.

Auston Matthews is more than an offensive player.

Matthews Is More than an Offensive Star

And it has real-world implications too. Coaches trust players like that in tighter games. Front offices notice it in how they value complete forwards. Matthews isn’t just someone who finishes chances — he’s someone who can be used in defensive situations without worrying he’s going to float through them.

It doesn’t mean he’s a shutdown forward, and it shouldn’t be read that way. That’s not his job. But it does challenge the idea that he’s disinterested away from the puck. If anything, the numbers suggest the opposite. When he’s on the ice, he’s more willing to do the uncomfortable stuff than he gets credit for.

Say What You Want About Matthews — He’s Risking Himself for the Team

The bottom line is that, whatever else you want to say about him, Matthews doesn’t shy away from getting in the way of pucks. That’s a pretty simple rebuttal to the idea that he’s only about offence.