Auston Matthews breaks Maple Leafs’ all-time goals record
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a new all-time goals leader, as Auston Matthews has surpassed Mats Sundin for the most goals in franchise history.
Auston Matthews: Toronto Maple Leafs All-Time Goals Leader
Matthews achieved the feat during Saturday’s game against the New York Islanders, scoring both the tying and record-breaking goal in the game. Sundin had held the record of 420 goals for almost 20 years, as he surpassed Darryl Sittler on October 11th, 2007 – also against the Islanders.
Matthews reached the record in just his 664th game as a Maple Leaf, and hit 420 goals in 317 fewer games than Sundin. Matthews also achieved the feat in his 10th season with the Leafs, while Sundin did so in his 13th.
The tying goal came midway through the second period, as Matthews picked up the puck in the neutral zone and dashed past Scott Mayfield, drove the net and went across the crease to beat David Rittich to both tie the game at 1-1 and tie the Leafs’ all-time goal record at 420.
MATTHEWS IS TIED WITH SUNDIN!!!!! 📽️: Sportsnet | NHL
Matthews then broke the record late in the second frame, as a great keep-in by Max Domi gave Bobby McMann the opportunity to set up a wide-open Matthews, who scored on a signature one-timer to give the Leafs the 2-1 lead.
THE LEAFS ALL-TIME GOALS LEADER IS AUSTON MATTHEWS!!!!!!! 📽️: Sportsnet | NHL
Next up for Matthews is the all-time points record, although he’s a bit further behind Sundin in that regard. Matthews’ 758 points entering Saturday’s games was fifth all-time in Leafs history, with Sundin in first at 987.
Another interesting fact with Matthews’ record is that he now is the only active player in an Original Six franchise to hold their respective team’s all-time goal record. The Boston Bruins‘ David Pastrnak (408 goals to Johnny Buyck’s 545) and New York Rangers‘ Mika Zibanejad (265 to Rod Gilbert’s 406) are the next closest in that regard.
With his 421st goal in his 664th game, Matthews currently sits third all-time in goals per game among players with at least 500 career games with his 0.63 rate. Only Mike Bossy (0.76) and Mario Lemieux (0.75) have a higher rate. His two goals on Saturday moved him up to a tie with Stephane Richer, Steve Thomas and Vincent Lecavalier in 92nd.
Matthews breaks the record amidst one of his slower seasons in recent memory, as he has just 20 goals and 13 assists for 33 points in 35 games. However, he’s been on a hot run lately, with six goals and 10 points in his last four games, and five goals scored in a span of 75:45).
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