With his 66th goal of the year, Auston Matthews has passed Alex Ovechkin for the most goals in a single season in the salary cap era. It’s the most goals in a year since 1995–96.
Matthews’ 66th came against the New Jersey Devils in the third period when Max Domi drew away players in the offensive zone just to quickly dish the puck to a wide-open Matthews. As Domi toward the left circle, a thunderous clap of the stick came from the right circle, as it’d be no other than Matthews calling for the puck. He’d make no mistake upon reception.
Cemented as this generation’s best goal scorer, this is the second time Matthews has potted 60 in a season. He’s only the ninth player in history to do it twice.
The hunt for 70 is still on, something that hasn’t been done since 1992–93. Only eight players have ever hit the mark, but Matthews could join them with four more goals in Toronto’s final four games.
Matthews could end up the best goal-scorer ever
As Ovechkin comes closer and closer to passing Wayne Gretzky for the all-time goal-scoring lead, Matthews’ pace is actually better than Ovi’s.
Longevity is key, and Matthews has already dealt with injuries, but we’ve never seen someone score like Matthews does.
Any time he’s on the ice, Matthews is a threat to put it in the back of the net. At his current pace, he’d need around 10 more full seasons to pass Gretzky.
He’s easily the best goal-scorer of the generation, having scored more goals than anyone drafted since 2010. And yes, he was drafted in 2016.
It looked like 60 in a season might never be reached again just a few years ago. Now Matthews looks like he can do it on the regular.
Matthews needs to follow it up in the playoffs
A 70-goal pace isn’t expected for a playoff run, but if the Leafs want to make any noise in the postseason, Matthews is the most important guy.
In 50 career playoff games, he’s scored 22 goals. While that’s still solid, it’s not close to his regular season pace.
He looked amazing in the first round last year before Sergei Bobrovsky shut down the whole team in the second. It seems like he improves a bit every playoff run, so maybe this is the year he fully takes over.
Either way, it’s a treat getting to watch one of the greatest goal-scorers of all time in his prime. Congratulations to Matthews on the salary cap era record.
Photo by Gavin Napier/Icon Sportswire
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