TORONTO — Another day, more history for Auston Matthews.
Matthews became only the 13th player in NHL history to reach 65 goals in a season and the first since Alex Ovechkin 16 years ago. The 26-year-old beat Alex Nedeljkovic with a quick one-timer off a faceoff on a third-period Leafs power play Monday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The goal put the Leafs ahead by one. That lead was vanquished late in regulation, but Matthews would set up the game-winning goal from Jake McCabe in overtime.
In short, it was another MVP-caliber performance from Matthews, who’s up to 102 points on the season and headed for a third Rocket Richard Trophy.
“We’re in awe just as much as (everyone else),” McCabe said afterward.
AM65 pic.twitter.com/SheFBHSv5w
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 9, 2024
Matthews needs five goals in the Leafs’ five remaining games to become only the ninth player to score 70 goals in a season and the first since the 1992-93 season when Teemu Selanne and Alexander Mogilny both reached the illustrious mark.
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Whether the Leafs will play Matthews in every remaining game is to be determined at this point. The Leafs have typically rested Matthews for at least one game late in the regular season with an eye on keeping him fresh (and healthy) for the playoffs.
The chase for 70 could change that dynamic.
Matthews may not need all five games to reach 70. He reached No. 65 on the season in his 76th game. He’s buried 51 goals in his last 55 games.
Ovechkin needed 81 games to reach 65 during the 2007-08 season.
“He loves to score goals, but he’s not putting that ahead of the team,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “He’s going about it the right way. He’s trusting that his ability is gonna shine through in the end and he’s gonna be able to score.”
“And however it works out in the end,” Keefe added, referring to the race for 70. “I think he’ll be content with that. And certainly he should be proud of what he’s done and how he’s handled himself the whole way through it.”
There have only been 25 seasons of 65 goals or more in NHL history and only two since 1996.
The first dozen to reach the mark were, not surprisingly, among the greatest goal scorers the league has ever seen: Mike Bossy; Phil Esposito; Wayne Gretzky; Brett Hull; Jari Kurri; Mario Lemieux; Lanny McDonald; Mogilny; Bernie Nicholls; Ovechkin; Selanne; and Steve Yzerman.
And now, Matthews.
His next goal will match Dave Keon for third-most in Leafs history.
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(Photo: Claus Andersen / Getty Images)
