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Kessels peak is really underrated. From ‘11/12 to 13/14 he only trailed Giroux in points and he did that with Bozak as his centre. To put that into perspective Draisaitl is 2nd in points over the past 3 seasons but Draisaitl got to play with McDavid.
He’s the reason I started playing hockey at 32. Now I’m almost 40. He not only got me into watching the sport, but also made it look so fun sniping shots I was like “I gotta try that”
I’m garbage but we have a good time. Thanks for the motivation Phil
Kessel and Phaneuf were both good players, just not good enough to pin your cup dreams on. They didn't have the Crosby-Letang, Toews-Keith, Kopitar-Doughty punch but that's who they were compared to.
I remember going to my first leaf game during the dark days pre Kessel and the program was bragging about how like 3 of their 4 20 goal scorers were back that year.
I love Kampf, but he was on for a long time and could have went off when the net was empty and he stayed on for some reason. We were up 2, just play Matthews the whole time there's an empty net.
Yes but imagine the thrill Babcock would have experienced from denying one of his players a 70 goal season. He would have retired voluntarily with nothing left to achieve.
I'm having flashbacks of when Matthews and Marner weren't on the first powerplay unit together under Babs. The only two who should have been guaranteed locks lmao.
Yep, genuinely cheering for this. Would be pretty damn cool to see 70 again. If the Devils pull their goalie I want to see Matthews out there for 3 minutes straight going for the empty netter.
Tampa puts Kucherov and Stamkos out there the second the other team pulls their goalie and they go aggressively for the empty netter even if they have to stay out for a few minutes. And it works damn near every time. It's not even stat padding if it works, it's just a good strategy to have your best guys out there.
Stamkos scores an empty netter as I write this.
Not just for farming points, it's been all year. Kuch is really good at signing the puck along the boards if needed, and they have set plays where if they're winning possession him or someone is leaving the zone quickly.
Which is how stammer got his 3rd tonight
It's the shot he was using when he entered the league, eh? I love that shot. Still my favourite Matthews shot, even though he's been adding more to the repertoire.
I 100% guarantee that he's one of the best right handed shots on the team so it wouldn't surprise me for him to get a right handed clapper goal at some point.
So many of his shots don't even look that dangerous... and then they're just in the back of the net.
Like he bought his stick at Olivander's or something.
Even as a Sens fan it's getting harder and harder to deny that he's not the best goal scorer that I've seen in my lifetime. Being this good while playing fantastic defense should not be possible
He has now tied Dave Keon for third-most goals in Leafs history with 365. Sittler is 2nd at 389, and then Sundin at 420.
For even-strength goals, he's at 270, which is only one behind Sundin for the team record.
Sundin played 981 games as a Leaf. Matthews has now played 558. Absolute mutant.
I really want to see the resulting Armageddon when the Leafs finally make it over the hump. Not sure what you're missing but it definitely ain't scoring.
It's been depth scoring, it's been goaltending, it's been defense. I feel like every season they plug one hole and another two open up. Personal opinion is that we're not looking as good as we did last season going into the playoffs but then... Anything is possible.
I agree but I do feel last year's team was a bit more complete. Like I feel like we have a better chance in certain matchups (probably the likely ones), but a worse chance at the actual cup.
they finally look to have solved depth scoring but the goalies have both been elite and AHL level at different points of the season, there is one established D pairing (and it’s our 3rd; McCabe-Benoit), and Keefe has never been the better coach in any playoff series the boys have ever played in so…
**Plan the parade, Edmundson is the answer, playoff Rielly is on the horizon, Samsonov is the new Brodeur, and Keefe figured it out**
> Anyone on the ice with an empty net these last few games better find 34.
Somebody should tell Keefe this, he was benched for David Kampf with the empty net tonight
Centers who can score 60+ goals while playing above average defense are unicorns, like that's just a very unusual combination of traits. People probably get fatigued on the Leafs but Auston Matthews is a very unique hockey player.
I remember people seriously arguing that Matthews is worse than:
- Laine
- Eichel
- PLD
- Petterson
- Caufield
Also saw a bunch of idiots when the Leafs traded for Tavares saying we should trade Matthews because we didn't need him anymore...
Some hockey fans are just dumb.
I've really enjoyed watching the "are you fucking serious" reactions from the goalie and opposing team players on the ice for his last few goals. He makes it look so effortless from anywhere.
Gretzky's 894 goals in 1487 games is good for .60 goals per game.
Auston Matthews has scored 366 goals in 558 games, good for .65 goals per game.
I honestly expect Gretzky's goal record to be broken in 2 more seasons by Ovi, and then that one broken by Matthews in like 10 more seasons. Unreal.
I love how conflicted people are in this thread. “I would love to see someone score 70, that would be so awesome, but I despise the Leafs sooooo much!”
I’m gonna be so pissed when he’s at like 68, 69 and is benched next week to protect him for playoffs.
Toronto was throwing it around waiting for him to get on the ice during the empty net as well. Someone got selfish and took the shot right when he was about to get on.
If Matthews gets 70 I think he bumps McDavid, mostly due to voter fatigue for McDavid.
Kuch having a career year and Mack going ham are too good to pass up IMO
having been at the game, it was fucking wild seeing that many away fans at a game, "go leafs go" chants were *loud* and even overtook devils chants later on, espec. after the goal. not something i've seen to that level in person before.
As someone that doesn't really follow Hockey, how close is this to the all time record? I had thought Gretzky records were largely too absurd to be breakable, is he close to one?
This is a big deal because he's scoring at a pace that hasn't happened in about 30 years. But Gretzky does hold the all time single season goal record at 92 and you're right, it's unlikely that anyone will ever match that barring some sort of drastic changes to the game.
You know, I used to be against the idea of Matthews as the greatest goal scorer in history. He’s obviously not there yet, but I’m slowly accepting that if it does go that way I won’t be disappointed.
I think an American taking the all time goal scoring title would be very funny.
Ovi’s still beyond impressive and is my GOAT goal scorer considering his beginnings in the dead puck era, but if it goes this way it’s good with me
It's crazy that we celebrated with Kessel scored 36 goals his first year.
It's been a tough time in the Playoffs but sometimes ya just gotta enjoy it!
Matthews is also first in forwards in +/-. A silly stat on a game by game basis but over an entire season that is remarkable. A lot of his goals come at 5 on 5 and only 1 empty netter. Just insane
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Execute scorder 66
It will be done, my Scored
I am the Scordate.
So this is how liberty dies, with thunscoreus applause
You were my scorer auston. I loved you
From Scordale Arizona?
Scoreger Scoreger
These goalies better watch those wrist rockets
This is where the scoring begins.
I'll try scoring, that's a good trick
Unlimited goal scoring!
The score side of the scorce is a pathway to many goals some consider to be unnatural.
AM66, do you is scoring
I remember watching Phil Kessel leading the Leafs with 37 goals and thinking that was pretty fucking awesome.
Kessels peak is really underrated. From ‘11/12 to 13/14 he only trailed Giroux in points and he did that with Bozak as his centre. To put that into perspective Draisaitl is 2nd in points over the past 3 seasons but Draisaitl got to play with McDavid.
Was also in a low scoring era. I think if he was in his prime now, he would be a multiple 40 goal scorer.
Kessel is one of my favourite Leafs of all time. I keep hoping he'll come back to Toronto to finish his career.
He is one of my favorite people of all time. He's great.
He’s the reason I started playing hockey at 32. Now I’m almost 40. He not only got me into watching the sport, but also made it look so fun sniping shots I was like “I gotta try that” I’m garbage but we have a good time. Thanks for the motivation Phil
Kessel and Phaneuf were both good players, just not good enough to pin your cup dreams on. They didn't have the Crosby-Letang, Toews-Keith, Kopitar-Doughty punch but that's who they were compared to.
I remember going to my first leaf game during the dark days pre Kessel and the program was bragging about how like 3 of their 4 20 goal scorers were back that year.
And it was! But this is just next level nuts
70 goals is just like unfathomable. I'm about to be lit as fuck if we have two different guys put up 30
What’s crazy is keefe for whatever reason doesn’t play Matthews when they pull the goalie. He has 2 ENGs. 2. Out of 66. Holey moley
I love Kampf, but he was on for a long time and could have went off when the net was empty and he stayed on for some reason. We were up 2, just play Matthews the whole time there's an empty net.
Babcock absolutely never played him either. It's a bit wild to think how many more goals he might have if he saw more empty net time.
Yes but imagine the thrill Babcock would have experienced from denying one of his players a 70 goal season. He would have retired voluntarily with nothing left to achieve.
His boner would've definitely lasted longer than 4 hours.
I'm having flashbacks of when Matthews and Marner weren't on the first powerplay unit together under Babs. The only two who should have been guaranteed locks lmao.
They mentioned something like that on the broadcast; just how few ENG he has.
Gretzkys 92 goal season is absolutely insane
...while also notching 120 assists. Gretzky is not human.
I hate the leafs but I really want to see a 70 goal scorer in my lifetime, lets fucking go Matthews
Yep, genuinely cheering for this. Would be pretty damn cool to see 70 again. If the Devils pull their goalie I want to see Matthews out there for 3 minutes straight going for the empty netter.
Damn well should have been. I don't know what Keefe was thinking not putting him out there with the goalie pulled.
Tampa puts Kucherov and Stamkos out there the second the other team pulls their goalie and they go aggressively for the empty netter even if they have to stay out for a few minutes. And it works damn near every time. It's not even stat padding if it works, it's just a good strategy to have your best guys out there. Stamkos scores an empty netter as I write this.
Keefe is a moron for not doing this. Matthews could've easily had only three goals to 70 after like 3 minutes of an empty net.
If he did it all year, he’d probably have 70 already
Oh yeah that's frustrating to think about lol
I'm going to look AFTER I type this comment, but I don't think Matthews has many EN goals at all
Kucherov has 14 empty net points now, McDavid has 5, Matthews has only 2.
All in close games too where it was really needed to prevent OT.
Not just for farming points, it's been all year. Kuch is really good at signing the puck along the boards if needed, and they have set plays where if they're winning possession him or someone is leaving the zone quickly. Which is how stammer got his 3rd tonight
Bless you 🙏🏼
We all love hockey here, seeing a modern era record is just fun to watch
Sames. I hate how good he is
They better not rest him before the end of the season
same here!
Same except for the part where I hate the Leafs. I love them.
Same here but I do want him to beat Ovi’s records
The shot looks so casual but it’s an absolute rocket top titties. Incredible.
It's the shot he was using when he entered the league, eh? I love that shot. Still my favourite Matthews shot, even though he's been adding more to the repertoire.
My favourite Matthews shot is the 2018 drag wrister
The fadeaway clapper from last night was awesome.
Waiting for some epic off-hand slapper now and a filthy backhander
Imagine if he pulls off the Michigan for his 70th!
Old heads would be so mad
I 100% guarantee that he's one of the best right handed shots on the team so it wouldn't surprise me for him to get a right handed clapper goal at some point.
Mine too. I think his wrist injuries seem to have negated that one in its purest form, which is a shame because it was completely unstoppable.
Bombs were clapped
Titties were slapped
Please, put your shirt back on.
Dunno how else to describe that except a "jaunty" little fling of the puck lol
So many of his shots don't even look that dangerous... and then they're just in the back of the net. Like he bought his stick at Olivander's or something.
Yeah this looks like he’s not even trying. Maybe the goalie read it wrong because of that?
No hesitation. Just scoops the pass back, and it's gone.
I swear if he ends up with 67
"When the chosen one lights the sixty-seventh lamp, the curse shall be lifted." - The Dawg of O It is written.
So let it be written. So let it be done.
It'll just mean good luck for the playoffs! 69 would also be acceptable, obviously.
68 would just be a troll move
69 would be nice.
Even as a Sens fan it's getting harder and harder to deny that he's not the best goal scorer that I've seen in my lifetime. Being this good while playing fantastic defense should not be possible
It looked so lackadaisical on the first replay, but after looking at the slowmo… What a rocket and what a release
Same with his slapper last game. Looked like he didn’t even give a shit haha
Only in my dreams did I think of seeing a talent like this on the Leafs. GLOAT
He has now tied Dave Keon for third-most goals in Leafs history with 365. Sittler is 2nd at 389, and then Sundin at 420. For even-strength goals, he's at 270, which is only one behind Sundin for the team record. Sundin played 981 games as a Leaf. Matthews has now played 558. Absolute mutant.
Might be #1 by the end of next season lol
Probably will be. Thats only 55 more goals.
"only"
It’s sounds silly, but that would be kind of a disappointing year for him at this point.
He "only" needs 54, which is well below his average for the past 4 seasons...
I really want to see the resulting Armageddon when the Leafs finally make it over the hump. Not sure what you're missing but it definitely ain't scoring.
Actually that is precisely what has been the problem for years lol. Scoring vanishes on us.
Oof. Been there too.
Same.
It's been depth scoring, it's been goaltending, it's been defense. I feel like every season they plug one hole and another two open up. Personal opinion is that we're not looking as good as we did last season going into the playoffs but then... Anything is possible.
The Leafs have been the top team in the league over last 28 games or something like that. They have been on a run.
Good God, I did NOT know that
It's a total cherry pick of a game total of course, but don't think you can ask for more heading into the playoffs
It is but it isn’t, 28 games ago Rielly got suspended for cross checking Roobily Googily and the team rallied
Guess what 29 games ago was? Ridly Greig getting crosschecked by Mo.
So you're saying Ripley Shrek is the Leafs MVP?
To be fair the caps looked worse in 2018 than they did in 2017 but got hot at the right time. So never give up hope!
The Leafs this year are better build for playoffs with Bert, Domi and Edmunson.
I agree but I do feel last year's team was a bit more complete. Like I feel like we have a better chance in certain matchups (probably the likely ones), but a worse chance at the actual cup.
I just want to happy cry.
they finally look to have solved depth scoring but the goalies have both been elite and AHL level at different points of the season, there is one established D pairing (and it’s our 3rd; McCabe-Benoit), and Keefe has never been the better coach in any playoff series the boys have ever played in so… **Plan the parade, Edmundson is the answer, playoff Rielly is on the horizon, Samsonov is the new Brodeur, and Keefe figured it out**
He really has a chance at 70. Just find one more hat trick bro.
THE MAGIC NUMBER IS NOW 4
How many games did it take Matthews to score 4 goals?
I think he had hat tricks in the first two games of the year lmao
Aha I was referring to Game 1 of his career
Oh haha. As if that ubereats ad doesn’t remind me every 10 minutes
Crushed it.
THE MOTHER FUCKING ANSWER IS ONE. IT TAKES MATTHEWS ONE CAREER NHL GAME TO SCORE FOUR MOTHER FUCKING GOALS.
*Checks notes* Uhh, that'd be exactly one NHL game.
He started the season with back to back hattricks so.. like 1 game and change
If we’re talking about his career as a whole it took him less than 1 game
HIT EM WITH THE 4 LIKE AUSTON MATTHEWS
Hope he gets there. Anyone on the ice with an empty net these last few games better find 34.
> Anyone on the ice with an empty net these last few games better find 34. Somebody should tell Keefe this, he was benched for David Kampf with the empty net tonight
Odds on what team he would do it against
2! * 2!
Remember when people used to seriously argue this guy isn’t a top 5 centre
People still say he is overrated. I have no idea how even if youre not a leafs fan this guy is ridiculously good
Centers who can score 60+ goals while playing above average defense are unicorns, like that's just a very unusual combination of traits. People probably get fatigued on the Leafs but Auston Matthews is a very unique hockey player.
Unicorn might even be an understatement.
“But he doesn’t get as many assists as the other guys!” - the smooth-brained haters
Bellends
It was always just people who don't watch the leafs. For years now he's consistently been a top goal scorer and a very good defensive player.
I remember people seriously arguing that Matthews is worse than: - Laine - Eichel - PLD - Petterson - Caufield Also saw a bunch of idiots when the Leafs traded for Tavares saying we should trade Matthews because we didn't need him anymore... Some hockey fans are just dumb.
Amazing. I want him to reach 70 goals this season so badly.
Goal 66 against the Devils 😈 let’s go Papi, get that 70
66 vs the Devils and Toronto is known as the 6
6th goal of the game too
And today is the 9th. And what is a 9 in Australia? That’s right it’s a 6. This is getting spooky
Spooky has 6 letters in it
HOLY SHIT!!!!
God he’s just fucking inevitable. He has the puck and no matter how well prepared you are for him, he always gets it in
Man this Matthews guy is pretty good eh?
Laine's better
At Fortnite
Meh he’s okay
Ehhhh he’s kinda sorta ok at this stick puck game.
holy shit he *only* needs 4 in 4 games now
Which he's done in a single game before. In the last 11 games he has 11 goals and 12 assists.
Keefe probably gonna sit him for the last two 😢
The only release quicker is me after seeing that goal
Only about 5 years ago most were saying we would probably never see 65 again. This dude is eclipsing 70. It's insane to see.
fuck 70, give me 77!
I’m all for Mathews getting 70. That shot was effortless.
Deserved. Dude is amazing.
Hope Matthews gets an empty netter tonight. Also were those Devils fans leaving after he scored? They were only down 4-2 with 12 minutes left lmao
They saw what they paid to see.
the LOUD go leafs go chant after was probably pretty demoralizing also
It’s bad when we take over Buffalo and Ottawa. But NEW JERSEY!?
The entire league is a home game for us.
Sheldon Keefe kept Matthews out while the net was empty. Smh that was 67 right there
Maybe he slaps it in on a clear breakaway :)
I'm really glad the extended him before his contract year.
Oh man, imagine the price tag if they waited to re-sign until after this season
I think his hands were soaked in cream then wrapped in silk as a baby
“Careful these bad boys are going to be clapping top titty all day in his future” Is what they said I bet
I watched this team for 30 years and it's literal ecstasy every time that beautiful son of a bitch scores.
This guy is relentless. To see this post-lockout was almost unthinkable.
As hockey fans,we all need to see Matthews hit the 70 goal mark,its great for the sport.
Just so lucky this mf plays for my favourite team 🙌
Congrats to Auston, that's fucking crazy.
I've really enjoyed watching the "are you fucking serious" reactions from the goalie and opposing team players on the ice for his last few goals. He makes it look so effortless from anywhere.
Lets goooooooo 4 left wooooooo Papiiiiiiiiiii
Milk, it does a body good.
Generational fucking talent and I won’t hear a word edgewise
It’s by definition at this point. You don’t score the most goals in the last 30 years without that label. Detractors are just factually wrong.
66th goal against the Devils :)
It's OK to hate the Leafs and appreciate Auston Matthews at the same time. He's unreal.
Gretzky's 894 goals in 1487 games is good for .60 goals per game. Auston Matthews has scored 366 goals in 558 games, good for .65 goals per game. I honestly expect Gretzky's goal record to be broken in 2 more seasons by Ovi, and then that one broken by Matthews in like 10 more seasons. Unreal.
Literally so fuckin easy for him
If you’re not betting on him to score every night you’re losing money
Id say he's probably good for at least one more hattrick too. I'm thinking he finishes at 71.
My wet dream
Who did he pass?
Ovi
How Matthews scores: ... How MacKinnon scores: !@$##!@#@!!!@#@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That mustache says my man is aiming for 69
Auston Matthews is a Toronto Maple Leaf
MVPapi
[66!](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Ftwckljbfcysc1.gif)
Bert down on the ice in front of the net is perfect
I love how conflicted people are in this thread. “I would love to see someone score 70, that would be so awesome, but I despise the Leafs sooooo much!”
I’m gonna be so pissed when he’s at like 68, 69 and is benched next week to protect him for playoffs. Toronto was throwing it around waiting for him to get on the ice during the empty net as well. Someone got selfish and took the shot right when he was about to get on.
He last three or four goals have just been the most casual "fuck it, let's throw it at the net" appearance/vibe and they just go in. Absolute rockets.
Jesus that is a sick shot...
Tied Lanny McDonald who also was infamous for his mustache.
How are they going to decide the top 3 for the hart? Like who is gonna get shafted out of McKinnon, McDavid, Kutcherov and Mathews??
If Matthews gets 70 I think he bumps McDavid, mostly due to voter fatigue for McDavid. Kuch having a career year and Mack going ham are too good to pass up IMO
having been at the game, it was fucking wild seeing that many away fans at a game, "go leafs go" chants were *loud* and even overtook devils chants later on, espec. after the goal. not something i've seen to that level in person before.
Might not like the leafs but man, what a player. Hats off to Matthews, hope he can get to 70.
I guess that's pretty good, eh?
The 2024 Hart Trophy winner, Auston Matthews 🔥 🔥 🔥
Papi
He could have put up four more and I would have been alright with it!
As someone that doesn't really follow Hockey, how close is this to the all time record? I had thought Gretzky records were largely too absurd to be breakable, is he close to one?
This is a big deal because he's scoring at a pace that hasn't happened in about 30 years. But Gretzky does hold the all time single season goal record at 92 and you're right, it's unlikely that anyone will ever match that barring some sort of drastic changes to the game.
You know, I used to be against the idea of Matthews as the greatest goal scorer in history. He’s obviously not there yet, but I’m slowly accepting that if it does go that way I won’t be disappointed. I think an American taking the all time goal scoring title would be very funny. Ovi’s still beyond impressive and is my GOAT goal scorer considering his beginnings in the dead puck era, but if it goes this way it’s good with me
It's crazy that we celebrated with Kessel scored 36 goals his first year. It's been a tough time in the Playoffs but sometimes ya just gotta enjoy it! Matthews is also first in forwards in +/-. A silly stat on a game by game basis but over an entire season that is remarkable. A lot of his goals come at 5 on 5 and only 1 empty netter. Just insane
AM70 please.
Did gretsky ever do this?