Toronto Maple Leafs season snapshot fantasy honors

With the NHL pausing the 2019-20 regular season on March 12 due to the concerns surrounding the coronavirus, NHL.com is taking stock of each of the League's 31 teams.
Today, a fantasy recap of the Toronto Maple Leafs at the pause:
NOTE: Rank for fantasy most valuable player is based on standard-category production to date.

MORE FANTASY COVERAGE:
Top 250 at pause
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Season snapshots
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Injury tracker
Fantasy MVP: Auston Matthews, C (rank: 5) -- Matthews is among the NHL leaders in goals (47; third), points (80; ninth), power-play points (25; T-12th) and shots on goal (290; fourth). He not only leads the Toronto Maple Leafs in each of those categories, but he's also set NHL career highs in each. Matthews also leads the Maple Leafs in plus/minus (plus-19) and has thrived on a new line this season with elite right wing Mitchell Marner at even strength. Matthews has averaged nearly 40 goals per season (39.5) since entering the NHL in 2016-17 and is a top 10 overall fantasy player in all formats.

Biggest surprise: Zach Hyman, C/LW -- The third member of the line with Matthews and Marner, Hyman has tied his NHL career high in goals (21) from last season in 20 fewer games. Hyman did not make his season debut until Nov. 13 because he was recovering from offseason knee surgery, but he was worth the wait for fantasy owners who stashed him; since Dec. 21, Hyman has 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists), is plus-12 in 34 games and is tied for 20th in the NHL in even-strength points (25). Hyman also covers hits with 52 in 51 games.

Unsung hero: William Nylander, C/LW/RW -- Overshadowed by Matthews, Marner and elite center John Tavares in fantasy drafts, Nylander has had a bounce-back season on mostly the second line with Tavares. He has 59 points (31 goals, 28 assists) in 68 games, two away from his NHL career high (had 61 twice, each time in at least 81 games). Nylander ranks second on the Maple Leafs in goals behind Matthews, has set an NHL career-high in the category and brings added value with tri-eligibility in fantasy.

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