The Maple Leafs took a 2-1 lead on the Stars with a goal by Auston Matthews. (0:54)
Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews became the first player in history to win a game in overtime twice.
He scored his 55th goal of the season late in the second period to break the Toronto goal- scoring record. His 56th goal gave the Maple Leafs the victory in overtime and set the record for most goals by a U.S. born player in a season.
"This was Auston's night, and it was well deserved," Keefe said.
Matthews has netted 49 goals in the past 50 games.
Jimmy Carson and Kevin Stevens held the record for most goals by a U.S. born player with 55. The highest- scoring season in modern NHL history was the 1981-82 campaign, in which Vaive scored 54 goals.
It was only a matter of time before Matthews came for him. The first overall pick in the 2016 draft had 47 goals before the season was shut down due to COVID-19, and he scored 41 goals in the 56-game schedule last year.
I expected him to do it two years ago, but I am happy for him now. He is a player of a different generation. It has been 40 years since I had that record. I'm glad I'm able to see it.
Matthews scored his first goal on Thursday with a one-timer from the bottom of the circle to the left of goalie Scott Wedgewood after taking a pass back from Mark Giordano on a power play for a 2-1 lead with 1:02 left in the second period. The winner came when he took a pass from William and was able to score.
Matthews pumped his right arm after his goal broke the franchise record.
He said that he was so excited that he saw the puck go in. I was able to sneak it in after Giordano made a nice pass and I tried to attack the puck. It was a lot of stuff in my mind.
In the 1980s, Vaive scored over 50 goals for the first time in franchise history. Gary Leeman and Dave Andreychuk were the only others to score 50 goals in a season.
Matthews scored his 50th goal in just 62 games, making it the fastest 50-goal season since 1995-96.
He has set a new benchmark in Toronto, one that he could build on this year and possibly surpass in the future.
His skills are crazy, how good he is with the puck and how good his shot is. I am happy that a guy like him has done it because it would have been different if it was someone who just happened to have a good year and did it once, but he is a guy that you can count on getting there or close every single time.
Matthews is on the verge of winning the second consecutive Rocket Richard Trophy, which is given to the NHL's top goal scorer. Leon Draisaitl was the closest competition for the prize, with 50 goals.
The Associated Press contributed to the story.
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