Auston Matthews Passes Another Maple Leafs Legend on All-Time List
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews made some more history on Tuesday as his game-winner overtook franchise icon Dave Keon for second all-time.
Needing a bounce back game against the Nashville Predators, the Toronto Maple Leafs did just that and put together a decisive 7-4 victory that saw the top line finally get going with a combined seven points.
Easton Cowan got his first point of his NHL career and looks poised to be part of the offense not only now, but in the near future.
Auston Matthews Continues To Make Maple Leafs History
His helper gave Auston Matthews his first legitimate goal this season after a gorgeous feed from Matthew Knies after a 2-on-1 give and go.
But not only did Cowan get his first helper of his young career, but it helped his captain set a bit of history himself:
With his 64th game-winning goal on Tuesday, Matthews passed franchise legend Dave Keon for second all-time on the team for game-winners trailing who else, but Mats Sundin who had 79.
Matthews is no stranger to chasing Sundin, as he sits 17 goals away from passing the iconic former captain on the all-time list (420 for Sundin).
Other active Maple Leafs who currently rank atop the list include William Nylander with 47 game-winners, and John Tavares with a neat 40 for his career; Matthews also sits 21 power play goals away from besting Sundin all-time as well.
Toronto Finally Turning Things Around As Matthews Leads Charge
Struggling last year and coming out of the gates cold this season, Matthews finally put in a captain-like performance, but credit has to be given to his linemates who helped him break loose.
Cowan generated that first goal all himself, finding the captain with a short pass to lead the breakout, meanwhile Matthew Knies made it his sole mission on Tuesday to ensure Matthews scored as much as possible.
You can tell that #34 wanted to score another, as his empty netter had him batting it down with precision in the crease before depositing arguably the easiest goal he'll score this season:
It was the best performance of the season for the top line, and it'll be interesting to see how the team moves forward considering guys like Bobby McMann are succeeding and Max Domi and Nick Robertson are quiet yet again.
What more can you say about Auston Matthews? It seems like every season he's becoming closer and closer to being in sole possession of most, if not all of the Toronto Maple Leafs' offensive records.
It looks like the captain's back folks, and it couldn't have come at a better time.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 15 | 1108 ANSWERS Auston Matthews Passes Another Maple Leafs Legend on All-Time List Will Auston Matthews break every Maple Leafs goal-scoring record? | ||
| Yes | 858 | 77.4 % |
| No | 250 | 22.6 % |
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