Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews did something only 4 players had ever previously done in the NHL, when he recorded his second of back-to-back hat tricks.
Alex Ovechkin in 2017-2018, Cy Denneny 1917-1918, Joe Malone and Reg Noble in 1917-1918 are the only other NHL players to begin a season with two hat-tricks. Only Ovi, –who is currently chasing Wayne Gretzky’s goal record– has ever done what Matthews did in the modern era of hockey.
Much was made last year of Auston Matthews’ very, very slow start, scoring just 3 goals in the entire month of October. He also failed to register a hat trick last season. But by no means was last year a bad year for him, he still scored 40 goals and 45 assists, however he did have a career low 12.5% shooting percentage.
Matthews is a natural goal scorer, scoring 40 goals in 74 games in 2022-2023, 60 in 72 games in 21-22 which won him a hart, and 41 goals in 52 games in the 20-21 season. In his career he has 305 goals in 483 games.
However, despite the 40 goals, Matthews looked off at points last season. It was widely speculated he had a wrist injury for a vast majority of the campaign. He had more shots miss the net then fans were accustomed to. However, in his first 2 games this season, Matthews not only looks great, he looks like the player he did during his hart trophy winning season in 2021-2022.
It is very early of course, only 2 games in, but the point has to be made that Matthews just looks like Matthews again. Even the celebrations when he scores look different. He looks energized, he looks confident, he looks healthy, and in both games 1 and 2 for Toronto took over.
Fans were reminded simply how dominant Auston Matthews is and why despite a lot of criticism, some of it warranted and some unwarranted, for his playoff performances. Matthews is undoubtedly one of the best goal scorers in the NHL and when he is healthy, has the ability to take a game over.
The Leafs team as a whole has played “heart attack hockey” the first 2 games winning 6-5 and 7-4, and the team has shown what they can do offensively. Although Matthews gets a lot of hate for how he has performed in the playoffs, his start to this season shows he may be primed for another huge year. Nonetheless, Leafs nation is happy to have gotten a glimpse of Auston Matthews at his best over these last 2 games.
Can Matthews have another 60 goal season?
(Photo via Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)