Auston Matthews hits another milestone, going from hero to 60


Auston Matthews authored a night to remember Tuesday, part of a season that will be tough to forget.

The Maple Leafs’ super sniper ended his longest goal-scoring drought of the season by scoring Nos. 59 and 60 in a 3-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings at Scotiabank Arena. Matthews opened the scoring in the second period, then closed it on a power play in the third to become the first NHL player to score 60 in a season since Steven Stamkos in 2011-12.

“It was pretty special, honestly,” Matthews said after a water dousing from his teammates. That followed a two-minute ovation after he scored the milestone goal at the 5:49 mark of the third. Fans also chanted “MVP” and “Aus-ton Matth-hews.”

“The receptions from my teammates, from the fans, it kinda sends chills down your bones,” Matthews said.

The 60th goal was typically Matthews—a wicked snap shot to the top corner from the high slot. It came after he curled at the blue line, barely keeping the puck in the zone, and found a seam in the middle of the ice.

“I was nervous about it a bit,” Matthews said. “I got the puck, I had some room there, and I just shot it.”

Matthews, who had gone five games and 16 days without a goal, appears set to win his second consecutive Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal scorer, with Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl five goals back. He is also one of the favorites for the Hart Trophy as league MVP.

“Lots of goal are going in this season and lots of players are having great seasons,” Leafs captain John Tavares said. “I know I’m being biased, but (the Hart Trophy race is) not even close. The consistency he has, the way he does things sometimes, you just shake your head. The fact he did 50 goals in 50 games, I still can’t get my head around that.”

There was an unmistakable feeling in the arena Tuesday that the Leafs scoring hero was going to make Tuesday another night to remember. He became just the third NHL player in the 21st century to reach 60, joining Alex Ovechkin and Stamkos.

Matthews’ 59th goal was also his 44th goal at even strength, 11 more than his closest rival. He is just the fourth player to score 43 or more even-strength goals since 1995-96. Stamkos, Ovechkin, and Pavel Bure are the others. And his 60 goals from him have come in 73 games.

Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews celebrates his 60th goal of the season with William Nylander and John Tavares.

“The hardest thing in our game seems to be scoring at even strength,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said, “and (Matthews) seems to be doing it at a level no one else can.”

While Keefe was praising Matthews, the Siri function on a phone piped in with “I thought so,” drawing a laugh from the coach and the media.

“I agree,” Keefe said, smiling.

home ice

With the win, Toronto locked up second place in its division, and will have home ice in the first round of the playoffs. Their first round opponent likely will be the two time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. The series could open Monday — the Scotiabank Arena availability for the Leafs next week is Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

career year

Jack Campbell kicked out all 20 shots he faced, and was called on to make several terrific stops. Toronto outshot Detroit 36-20, with Campbell recording his fifth shutout of the season, a career high.

bunting skates

Michael Bunting hit the ice for the morning skate Tuesday, which was a good sign after he apparently hurt his right foot Sunday in Washington.

“It’s a very positive step,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said about Bunting, whose prognosis was for a longer layoff after the game Sunday. “He’s not going to play this week… We’ll re-evaluate him (for the playoffs) but things are looking positive.”

Alex Kerfoot took Bunting’s spot on the top line with Matthews and Mitch Marner.

injury news

Jake Muzzin returned to the roster after missing the last six games with an undisclosed injury. Muzzin has two quality scoring chances in the first period, and was solid defensively… Rasmus Sandin, who has been out since March 19 with a knee injury, also participated in the morning skate. He might play Friday against Boston in the Leafs’ final game of the regular season … Ondrej Kaše, out since March 19 with a concussion, and goalie Petr Mrázek also worked out Tuesday but neither has a definitive timeline for a return. Kaše was named Toronto’s nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded the NHL play who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

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