Auston Matthews gets a special moment from Craig Berube as practice wraps up
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images (left), John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images (right)
After breaking the all-time goals record for the Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews got some love from his head coach at the end of the team's practice on Monday.
Saturday night was a historic night for Auston Matthews. Sitting only two goals away from breaking Mats Sundin's all-time goals record, the captain decided he didn't want to wait around too long to make history.
After tying Sundin, it wasn't long before Matthews wired a shot past David Rittich and secured himself as the greatest scorer and potentially greatest Maple Leaf of all time.
Craig Berube shows praise and respect after Auston Matthews' historic night
It was unfortunately a loss on that night, and marks the second time this season a Maple Leafs player made history only to be on the losing end, however Matthews was still extremely honored and grateful to be amongst the legends.
Craig Berube made sure to give the captain his flowers too, and while it's a small gesture; he made sure to know he was highly appreciated:
Towards the end of Monday's practice, Berube announced Matthews as the all-time leader in goals and led a round of stick taps and applause for the captain, who can be seen pointing to his teammates as if to say 'I couldn't do it without you guys.'
Cap is back? Auston Matthews showing signs of former dominance
It's been a rollercoaster season for Matthews, who has looked like a completely different player since the holiday break. After being pretty average for the start of the year, he's exploded for 10 points including six goals.
He's got two back-to-back multi-goal games that includes a hat-trick in a 6-5 come from behind win against Winnipeg. He's shooting more, he's getting more chances, and he's looking like the Matthews of old.
That has pushed his season totals to 33 points in 35 games, which is much more respectable and Matthews like. If he can keep this pace up, while the rest of the secondary role players keep contributing; it could be the turnaround the team needed.
Plus if anything, this gives him a boatload of confidence heading into the Olympics and again; a strong tournament should translate well into the tail end of the season. It's all seemingly coming together.
Which is exactly what Toronto and their fans need right now. The team had a lot of expectations this season and while they have fallen short so far; there's enough time to claw their way back especially with their captain of old leading the charge.