While Mitch Marner continues to do the Mitch Marner thing - dazzling offensive plays resulting in multiple points - the overblown and unnecessary worry over fellow rookie Auston Matthews continues.

As the No. 1 pick’s goal scoring “drought” reached 10 games on Tuesday (while Marner scored his sixth of the season and and fifth in the past six games) Leafs coach Mike Babcock isn’t worried in the slightest.

In fact, quite the opposite.

Matthews failed to find the scoresheet in a 6-3 Leafs win over the Nashville Predators that was dominated by James van Riemsdyk’s hat trick, with big help from linemates Marner and Tyler Bozak.

But to suggest that Matthews is being stunted in his development is far off base, as Babcock isn’t shy to tell you.

“In our situation, we need him to be a dominant, dominant centre for us,” Babcock said following Tuesday’s morning skate. “We think he’s going to be that by Christmas time.

“We think he’s a very good player already, but we think he can be lights out, both with and without the puck. He takes a lot of pride in himself.”

That’s quite a mouthful from Babcock, but digest it and other than the hint of hyperbole, there’s plenty to like about Matthews growth.

Who knows how much the 19-year-old would be producing if he started his NHL career on the wing, which isn’t always a bad move for a would-be centre getting his feet under him.

Instead, Babcock got right down to business of grooming his No. 1 centre, putting him in key situations down the middle throughout his 16 games. In the interest of Matthews confidence, would you rather have had the slump end five games ago? Sure you would.

But given the opportunities Matthews has been getting (leads all rookies with 63 shot on goal) and his improvement in the face-off circle, it’s not as if the No. 1 overall pick is stagnating.

He still gets to the net. He still has opportunities. On Tuesday, he led the Leafs with five shots on goal and nine shot attempts.

One of his better plays, you could argue, was a quick move inside the Preds blueline early in the third period that resulted in a good scoring chance that ended with a show just high and wide.

The time to worry about Auston Matthews is nowhere near. A dominating centre by Christmas? Perhaps optimistic. But given the learning opportunities Matthews is getting, he’s well on his way.

GAME ON

Don’t forget to include the Freddy Andersen stop of a James Neal breakaway as part of the Leafs impressive first period. The Leafs were up 1-0 at the time and Andersen didn’t flinch on Neal, who has been hot the pat handful of games … Nice pass and all from Ryan Johansen on Neal’s first Preds goal. Not so nice was the purported coverage from both Martin Marincin and and Matt Hunwick … Perfect timing for the Leafs to have Preds star goaltender Pekka Rinne come down with an ailment. The Finn had posted a 4-0-2 record with a 1.14 goals against average and .958 save percentage in those six games. There were at least two goals that Tuesday’s starter Marek Mazanec would have liked to have back … The sloppiness from the Leafs defence continued in the second with an untimely giveaway by Jake Gardiner in the Preds zone that quickly resulted in a Viktor Arvidsson breakaway and goal. Moments earlier, Arvidsson had undressed Marincin, only to be robbed by Andersen … Slick deflection by Leo Komarov on a Marincin point shot with 12:42 remaining to increase the Leafs lead to 4-2. Also notable on that goal, the hard-working Connor Brown hustling on the back check to get the puck from P.K Subban for a well-deserved assist on the play … Obscure stat department: The Leafs are 3-0 when Brown records a point.

MORE SCORE

It was another productive night for Marner, with a goal and two assist for his fifth multi-point game of the season, tops on the team. “It’s kind of crazy, but (linemates James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak) make it so easy for me. JVR is such a good heavy player and good down low and Bozie’s a great passer,” Marner said. “They’ve definitely been a big help for me both on and off the ice.” … Marner’s goal, just 64 seconds in, was the quickest Leafs score to start a game this season … Andersen was steady throughout, including at least three huge saves to make up for the continued sloppiness of the guys in front him. “It’s always good to help out and make a good save at the right time,” said Andersen, who made 32 saves for the win. “We also scored at the right times, especially in the third. They came out really hard.” … Department of baffling: Why Toronto fans feel a need to boo. Subban. Subban on said booing: “I don’t know if it’s a personal thing or not. In Chicago I still heard some and I don’t really play there that much. I don’t know what to expect. I never think about that stuff going in.” … How much did it cost the Preds when Mike Fisher went after Roman Polak after the Leafs defenceman pounded Filip Forsberg into the boards? One of Nashville’s most valuable players spent the next 17 minutes of the second period in the penalty box … Another part of Matthews game that would impress Babcock. After a sloppy turnover at the Nashville blueline, he hustled back to make sure it wasn’t costly.

QUICK HITS

With 32 shots against the Preds, the Leafs were just shy of their 32.8 per game, which had a share of the league’s best prior to Tuesday’s game … With his goal Tuesday, red-hot Neal has six in his past five games … Former Leaf Darcy Tucker and former Red Wing Kris Draper were at the ACC to help hype the alumni game preceding the Centennial Classic. The rosters for the Dec. 31 game were announced on Tuesday, the highlight of course having Leafs president Brendan Shanahan named to the Detroit squad.

rlongley@postmedia.com

@longleysunsport