Auston Matthews’ Hidden Shot Release and the Moments That Prove It
Quick Answer
When Auston Matthews scored four goals in his first NHL game, he became the first player in the modern era to score four times in his NHL opener, and he did it on six shots. That night previewed what the rest of the league would keep seeing: Matthews is widely considered as one of the best players in the world with his all-around game and lethal shot. Players like Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid don't just have hard shots—they have lightning-fast releases that give goaltenders almost no time to react.
Key Takeaways:
- Matthews' release is deceptive through subtle body and stick positioning changes
- His compact mechanics create minimal telegraph time for goalies and defenders
- Quick release often matters more than raw shot power in scoring situations
- Proper stick selection and flex can dramatically improve release speed
What Makes Auston Matthews' Release So Hard to Read
A high octane dynamo who thrives under the microscope, Auston Matthews is a complete offensive forward who consistently boasts quick hands, feet, and thinking at both ends of the ice. Prolific goal scoring ability and doesn't wait for opportunities to show themselves. He makes his own luck, so to speak, maximizing the use of his body and stick to gain leverage against the toughest of opponents.
The auston matthews hockey player has earned praise from elite players for his deceptive technique. Matthews' move is all about changing the shooting angle at the last second, making it hard for goalies to track the puck. By faking a forehand release and pulling it quickly to your backhand, you create space, deceive defenders, and give yourself a high-quality shot on goal.
Technical Elements That Create Deception:
• Minimal Telegraph Time: NHL scoring data consistently shows that release speed—the ability to get the shot off quickly—is often more important than raw power. A 70 mph shot with a 0.3-second release will beat a goaltender more often than a 90 mph shot with a 0.7-second release, simply because it gives defenders and goaltenders less time to react
• Late Blade Position Changes: Matthews' move is all about changing the shooting angle at the last second, making it hard for goalies to track the puck. By faking a forehand release and pulling it quickly to your backhand, you create space, deceive defenders, and give yourself a high-quality shot on goal
• Compact Load Mechanics: Most recreational players use an excessively long windup, telegraphing their intentions and giving defenders time to react
• Adaptable Footwork: Matthews can shoot effectively off any edge, with or without weight transfer, making his release unpredictable in transition situations
Auston Matthews Hidden-Release Moments That Changed Games
The Sharp-Angle Debut Goal That Tied the Game
He scored at 8:21 and 14:18 of the first period, with his second goal on a spectacular individual effort 89 seconds later — on his second shot — after he stole the puck from Mark Stone, avoided a hit from Mark Hoffman and then stripped all-star Karlsson of the puck to score from a bad angle. Matthews wasted little time becoming the 12th No. 1 pick to score in his first game and opening the scoring on the 2016–17 season at 8:21 of the first period, banging a puck past Senators goalie Craig Anderson.
The Hat Trick Goal That Brought Hats onto the Ice
Just 1:25 into the second period, he became just the fourth player in the modern era to have a three-goal debut, joining Derek Stepan (Rangers, Oct. 9, 2010), Fabian Brunnstrom (Stars, Oct. 15, 2008) and Real Cloutier (Nordiques, Oct. 10, 1979). Matthews, however, got his quicker than all of them.
The Fourth Goal That Turned a Debut into NHL History
with 3 seconds remaining in the period, Matthews took things a step further, depositing a beautiful saucer pass from fellow Leafs rookie William Nylander behind Anderson, making him the first player with a four-goal debut and the third-youngest player to score four times in a game. This was the first time in modern NHL history a player scored four goals in his debut.
The 300th Goal That Fueled a Comeback
Matthews scored his second of the night with 4:32 left with Samsonov on the bench when he beat Allen from a tough angle before completing the hat trick with 1:07 remaining to send Scotiabank Arena into a frenzy. Auston Matthews scored a hat trick, including his 300th NHL goal, helping the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 6-5 shootout win against the Montreal Canadiens. Matthews became the 10th-fastest player in NHL history to reach 300 goals, accomplishing the feat in just 500 games.
Recent Dominance Against Anaheim
Throughout his career, Matthews has consistently demonstrated this hidden release in clutch moments. Matthews has recorded two 60-goal seasons in his NHL career: 2021-22 and 2023-24, showcasing the sustained effectiveness of his shooting technique against elite NHL goaltending.
What Hockey Players Can Learn From Those Moments
Elite shot release isn't just about natural talent; it's a skill that can be systematically developed through progressive training. This article breaks down a comprehensive training progression that takes players from foundational mechanics through to game-speed execution.
Key Takeaways for Players:
• Small Scoring Windows Count: At the highest levels, milliseconds separate scoring chances from blocked shots
• Quick Release Changes Momentum: Matthews' late goals against Montreal show how rapid-fire scoring can completely shift game momentum
• Positioning Beats Power: his spectacular individual effort 89 seconds later — on his second shot — after he stole the puck from Mark Stone, avoided a hit from Mark Hoffman and then stripped all-star Karlsson shows the play starts before the shot
• Compact Mechanics Win: The goal of this progression is to develop both attributes, but with an emphasis on minimizing the time from load to release without sacrificing shot quality
Gear Recommendations for Hidden Release Shots
Matthews' own setup has been described as using a hybrid-kick stick with an 80 flex and P29 curve, a combination that supports quick wrist and snap shots without giving up versatility. A 70 mph shot with a 0.3-second release will beat a goaltender more often than a 90 mph shot with a 0.7-second release, proving that equipment designed for quick release matters more than raw power specs.
Stick Selection for Lightning Release:
Low-Kick Point Sticks (Best for Quick Snapshots)
Bauer Vapor FlyLite
$369.99
Why It Works: Low-kick sticks like the Vapor line load energy closer to the blade, creating faster puck release on snap shots and quick catches. The XE Taper mimics Matthews' compact loading mechanics.
CCM Ribcor Trigger 10 Pro
$219.99-389.99
Performance Edge: The Ribcor's hybrid-kick design offers the perfect balance between Matthews' preferred quick release and power when needed.
Hybrid-Kick Options (Versatile Like Matthews)
CCM Jetspeed FT9 Pro
$389.99
Technical Advantage: Hybrid-kick sticks provide the shooting versatility Matthews uses, allowing effective shots from various positions and angles.
Flex Guidelines for Better Release:
• Start Around Half Your Body Weight: Too stiff slows release mechanics
• Consider Playing Style: Quick-release players benefit from slightly lower flex
• Test Load Speed: Focus on how quickly the stick loads, not just power transfer
Curve Recommendations:
• P29 (Matthews-style): Mid-curve with moderate lie for versatile shooting angles
• P28: Aggressive toe curve for maximum deception on releases
• P88: Heel curve for players who prefer traditional wrist shot mechanics
FAQ
Q: What makes Auston Matthews' shot release different from other NHL superstars?
A: Matthews' move is all about changing the shooting angle at the last second, making it hard for goalies to track the puck. Unlike players who rely primarily on power, release speed—the ability to get the shot off quickly—is often more important than raw power in Matthews' approach.
Q: Can recreational players learn Matthews' shooting technique?
A: Absolutely. Elite shot release isn't just about natural talent; it's a skill that can be systematically developed through progressive training. Focus on minimizing windup time and practicing weight transfer mechanics.
Q: What stick flex should I use to copy Matthews' release style?
A: Matthews uses around 80 flex, but players learn to shift weight from back foot to front foot efficiently, generating power from the ground up. Start around half your body weight and adjust based on loading speed, not just power.
Q: How important is stick selection for developing a quick release?
A: Critical. Low-kick and hybrid-kick sticks are specifically designed for faster loading. The goal of this progression is to develop both attributes, but with an emphasis on minimizing the time from load to release without sacrificing shot quality.
Q: What's the difference between Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid's shooting styles?
A: Matthews and Connor McDavid are two of the best players to ever play in the NHL. The two players are best known for their elite goal-scoring ability. While both have elite releases, Players like Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid don't just have hard shots—they have lightning-fast releases, with Matthews focusing more on deception and angle changes.
Q: How did Matthews develop his shooting ability growing up in Arizona?
A: Born in California and raised in Arizona, the 24-year-old's route to top echelons of hockey has been less than conventional. Growing up he found himself adept at two sports – baseball and hockey. Though one was much more favourable to the weather conditions of his home state, Matthews began to find himself lamenting the pace of baseball. His hand-eye coordination from baseball likely contributed to his precise shooting mechanics.
Q: What can young players learn from Matthews' NHL debut performance?
A: "It's pretty surreal," Matthews said. "I couldn't believe that was happening out there. It's really something you can't write up." The key lesson: preparation meets opportunity. "He's a man," said Babcock. "He's 19 years old, but he acts like he's 27. He's got good maturity.
Q: How does Matthews' release help with scoring from difficult angles?
A: he scored his second goal on a spectacular individual effort 89 seconds later — on his second shot — after he stole the puck from Mark Stone, avoided a hit from Mark Hoffman and then stripped all-star Karlsson of the puck to score from a bad angle. His compact release allows scoring from positions where longer windups would be impossible.
