While many dispute that Auston Matthews should be considered a "generational talent", it's becoming increasingly more difficult to argue that he is anything but.
Matthews was dominant in the Maple Leafs' 5-3 victory over an Atlantic Division rival Sabres team on Tuesday night, finding the back of the net twice, in what would be the 25th multi-goal game in his young career.
Matthews' second goal was an absolute stunner, fitting of an elite-level finisher, which there is no doubt that #34 is. In case you missed it:
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With his 25th career multi-goal game in this, just his 4th NHL season, the Arizona native has moved into a tie with Joe Mullen for 2nd-most multi-goal games by a U.S.-born player through his first four NHL seasons. Matthews now sits 6 multi-goal games behind Jimmy Carson (31) for most all-time in this category. What's more impressive is that Matthews is doing this in an era where goal-scoring is much lower than what it was.
Matthews also holds the record for most multi-goal games in Maple Leafs history.
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That was not the only milestone for Matthews in the win over the Sabres. He also became just the 2nd Leaf EVER to record 20 or more goals in his first four NHL seasons, joining Leafs legend, Dave Keon. TSN's Kristen Shilton had a chance to catch up with Matthews following the win to get his take on standing beside Keon in the Leafs record books.
"It's a pretty big honor just to be in the same breath as that guy. His career & what he did here, it's pretty unbelievable so just to be mentioned in the same sentence is a huge privilege"
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The Leafs have moved to 8-4 under head coach Sheldon Keefe. If the Buds can maintain this pace, it will put them above the 100-point mark for the third consecutive season, and land them in a playoff spot. Keefe was very complimentary of Matthews' performance on Tuesday, which should go a long way in helping the young sniper to maintain his momentum moving forward.
"The goals were elite and that's what you come to expect when he has those opportunities like that - finish. And he made no mistake. That really puts us in a position to win the game. He did his job."
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Matthews now sits 12th in the NHL for points (36) and tied for 3rd in the NHL for goals (21) this season.
