Putting the Boston Bruins/Toronto Maple Leafs' rivalry aside, Auston Matthews is one of the best players in hockey -- and David Pastrnak recognizes that.
Pastrnak picked Matthews as his 2020 Hart Trophy winner in August, and he's sticking by that prediction ahead of Boston's tilt with the Leafs Tuesday night.
"He has an unbelievable shot and skill set and he can find the soft spot," Pastrnak said Tuesday, according to TSN. "Every time he's 100 percent healthy he's showing that, and I just think he's a hell of a player."
Matthews has notched 11 points (eight goals, three assists) through 10 games, and quite frankly, Pastrnak thinks there's nothing wrong with pegging the B's rival as the league's MVP.
"I don't think there's something wrong with just giving him credit when he deserves it," Pastrnak said. "It's early in the season, he's showing that he can score goals, and he's been showing that since he got here."
Since making his debut in 2016, Matthews has notched 216 points (119 goals, 97 assists) in 222 games played while helping turn the Maple Leafs into a Stanley Cup contender. So, Pastrnak clearly has an argument -- but he's also a candidate to win the award early on this season with 15 points (nine goals, six assists) through eight games.
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