How fast is Andreas John son? Garret Sparks did not think that was the right question. The goaltender, who has played with John son the past two seasons with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League and now this season with the Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League, said its more about how quick is he. Hes just got, I gue s you could call it nitrous oxide, hes got the button, Sparks told the Sporting News. Hes got a legitimate speed boost. He might save it for when he just needs it but obviously, hes a really effective player when hes hitting that button a lot...You dont see him until you notice him because of how fast hes moving. Just ask Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim. John son victimized him a week ago to cap off an astounding hat trick accomplished in the span of 7:35 in the first period of what turned out to be a 6-0 Maple Leafs win and somewhat of a coming out party for Torontos 24-year old rookie forward. On that third goal, the defenseman was reaching for a loose puck at the right faceoff dot but did not notice John son behind him. Then John son hit the button and within four seconds, he had caught Sanheim from behind, stole the puck and cut back to the net to slide it five-hole on the goaltender, and former teammate, Calvin Pickard. In fact, it triggered Sparks memory of another famous goal in Maple Leafs history: in his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators, when he found a burst of speed to catch Erik Karl son from behind along the half-boards, stole the puck and cut to the net to slide it five-hole on goaltender Craig Anderson. If you watch closely Sparks said, you will notice nuances in their games that Matthews and John son share. Very similar, similar play, Sparks said. There are similarities between Matthews and John son offensively. Theyre subtle but Id say its the quickne s and the pace theyre able to do things at, just that explosive lift and go. After impre sing with two goals and one a sistin nine regular season games during a late-season call-up last season, and two pointsin six playoff games, the Swede managed just one a sist through his first ten games this season. At times he was a healthy scratch. MORE: Maple Leafs prospect Ian Scott among players invited to Canada's WJC camp The offensive drought also tested John son who had grown accustomed to filling the net with 54 points (26 goals, 28 a sists) in 54 AHL regular season games last season. In the postseason he added 24 points (10 goals, 14 a sists) in 16 games en route to a Calder Cup Championship and the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the playoff MVP. "Its a little frustrating always," he said. "Before that hat trick, I felt like I created a lot of chances and I skated hard. I felt like I gave the team something during the game. Its just trying to stay positive knowing eventually its going to go in. John sonnoted in an interview with the Sporting News a few days after his first-career NHL hat trick that, it gave me a confidence boost. It Tampa Bay Rays Jersey feels good to score on chances you get. Its been a little bit post and out for me but now it seemspostand in. "Thats hockey but now my confidence is going up. It took an injury to Matthews on October 27 to get John son, who had sat two games in a row, back in the lineup. Since then, he took advantage of his opportunity playing on a third line alongside center Par Lindholm and right wing Connor Brown. Back in training camp when faced with questions about an absent William Nylander, coach Mike Babcock responded by saying it gives someone else an opportunity and that maybe well find a player. Nylanders absence allowed the Maple Leafs to find Kasperi Kapanen. Matthews injury let them find John son, who responded with five points in 14 games and two more points as Matthews linemate in his return on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks. MORE:William Nylander, Maple Leafs agree to contract at 11th hour When Babcock was asked on Nov. 27, after John son went scorele s in 12:06 against the Boston Bruins, how much different a player he lookslike since his banishment to the pre s box earlier in the season, the head coach stre sed he still has work to do. "Every single night in the league, you have to be whatever you are," said Babcock. "You have to figure out over time what your level watermark is and hes getting better, hes feeling more confident and he has to continue to do that to have succe s. Now 30 games into his NHL career, John son said he is starting to become more comfortable with the differences between the AHL and NHL and how best to utilize his skill set. Of course, you get scoring chances in different areas, John son said. Sometimes you have to shoot quicker and other opportunities you have to be more patient. Its a fast game out there so sometimes you just have to do simple stuff and wait for the opportunities. "Ifeel like I can do [everything I did in the AHL] in the NHL too but I just have to choose my times when to do it. In the AHL I felt like I could almost force a play to make a move. In the NHL, just not as often. "After it kind of felt unreal. It's hard to explain. I had the first goal, then the second goal and, all of a sudden, the third one, Im like, what's going on?'" Andreas John son on the emotions after his third goal tonight. Watch >> Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) Sparks was proud of John son following that three-goal performance, a game in which the netminder turned aside 34 shots for his second career NHL shutout. He said that night that he did not want to put a ceiling on how good a player John son could be; however, with his skill set, he sees a player destined for a long NHL career. Now with five points in his past three games, John son looks as though his talent is starting to show through with an improved sense of confidence. But with the roster to be shuffled soon due to the return of Nylander, he has notlet himself feel too comfortable. For me, its been the whole season to get a spot, I was a healthy scratch in the beginning, said John son. For a guy like me, I need to battle every day to prove Im going to be in the lineup still. Its early to go but I feel like so far I feel like I can do the stuff I want on the ice, I just have to keep working hard so hopefully, I can do the whole season. Joe Maddon Jersey