Auston Matthews scored three goals as the Maple Leafs defeated the Lightning. (0:54)
Auston Matthews tied the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise goal- scoring record on Monday night.
In the Maple Leafs victory over the Lightning, Matthews scored a hat trick to tie the record for most goals in a season by a player in modern NHL history.
Matthews told reporters after the game that it means a lot.
| Season, Player | Total |
|---|---|
| 1980-81 Darryl Sittler | 5 |
| 1924-25 Babe Dye | 5 |
| 1917-18 Reg Noble | 5 |
| 2021-22 Auston Matthews | 4 |
| 1983-84 Rick Vaive | 4 |
| 1922-23 Babe Dye | 3 |
| -- ESPN Stats & Information |
Matthews joined the elite group of 50-goal scorers when he hit the mark against the Jets. Only three players before Matthews had ever achieved 50: Gary Leeman, Dave Andreychuk and Vaive.
Matthews scored his 54th goal in 63 games. He had scored 50 goals in a season for the first time. Matthews is the first player to hit 50 at the same point in his season since Alex Ovechkin did it in 2008. Matthews had at least one goal in 31 of 45 games leading up to the 50th goal.
He is on track to set an entirely new franchise-best in Toronto, one he could surpass in the future. Matthews moved past Bob Pulford into ninth place on Toronto's all-time goal list with 253 career goals.
Maple Leafs goalie Jack Campbell said it was fun to watch Matthews. It is just crazy. It is amazing.
Matthews won the first Rocket Richard Trophy for the NHL's leading scorer in last year&s shortened campaign, after scoring 41 goals in 52 games. He scored 47 goals in 70 games the year before.
He has been battling Leon Draisaitl to win a second title. Matthews has 54 goals, while Draisaitl has 50.
The Maple Leafs took a two-point lead over the other two teams in the Atlantic Division with their win on Monday.
This is a big game for us, and they know how to win. All these points matter. I think it is a complete game by everyone.
The Associated Press contributed to the story.
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