Auston Matthews, the star player of the Toronto Maple Leafs, made headlines on Wednesday night by scoring his 50th goal of the season in a game against the Arizona Coyotes. This achievement marked him as the fastest NHL player to reach this milestone in 28 years, a remarkable feat for the 26-year-old center.
Playing in his hometown at Mullett Arena, Matthews wasted no time in making his mark on the game. He scored just 5:01 into the game on a power play, giving the Maple Leafs a 2-0 lead over the Coyotes. He went on to add his 51st goal late in the second period, further solidifying his place in NHL history with a career total of 350 goals in 535 games.
After the game, Matthews expressed his excitement about achieving this milestone, emphasizing the importance of the win for the team. He credited his teammates for their support and contributions to the game, highlighting the collective effort that led to their 6-3 victory over the Coyotes.
Matthews’ achievement of reaching 50 goals in just 54 games draws comparisons to NHL legends such as Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky. Lemieux accomplished the feat in 50 games during the 1995-96 season, while Gretzky holds the record for the fastest 50 goals in 39 games during the 1981-82 season.
Matthews’ impressive goal-scoring pace has not gone unnoticed, with him currently on track to potentially reach 76 goals this season. This would make him only the third player in NHL history to achieve a 75-goal season with a Canadian team, joining the ranks of Gretzky and Teemu Selanne.
In addition to his current milestone, Matthews also stands out as one of the few active players with multiple 50-goal seasons. His place in Maple Leafs history is secure, as he becomes only the second player in the team’s history to achieve this feat, following in the footsteps of Vaive.
Auston Matthews’ record-breaking goal serves as a testament to his skill, dedication, and impact on the game of hockey. As he continues to surpass expectations and set new milestones, his legacy as one of the NHL’s top players is solidified with each game.
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