Fresh off a hat trick to open the calendar year, Auston Matthews hit the ice on Saturday one goal shy of matching Mats Sundin’s all-time franchise goal-scoring record.
He left the rink with two, and the title of Toronto’s all-time greatest goal-scorer. Matthews’ 420th and 421st career goals, scored less than 10 minutes apart in the second frame of Saturday’s game against the New York Islanders, solidified his status not only as one of the best goal-scorers in the game today but as the best to ever do it for Toronto.
But while Matthews’ two history-making markers headlined the night, the Islanders ultimately stole the show by claiming the two points up for grabs in the standings with their 4-3 overtime victory thanks to the late-game heroics of Matthew Schaefer.
Schaefer’s own two-goal night, including an overtime stunner for the fearless rookie defender, capped a back-and-forth affair and turned a celebratory outing for Toronto’s new gold standard of goal-scoring into a night of silver linings on Long Island for the visiting captain and his club.
Despite loss, Matthews’ historic night lights a spark
Halfway through the second period of Saturday’s game, Matthews picked up the puck as he entered the Islanders’ zone and drove hard to the net, baiting New York netminder David Rittich and slipping the puck past his pads to tie Sundin’s franchise record with goal No. 420.
Even without the historical significance of it all, the goal was a perfect demonstration of where Matthews’ game stands as he enters the new year. After a very start-and-stop first half of the season in which Matthews rarely looked comfortable, the 28-year-old captain took command and had his skill on full display with the unassisted goal. After propelling the Maple Leafs to a rousing comeback against the Winnipeg Jets on New Year’s Day with his first hat trick of the season, this one felt like a continuation — and a sign of things to come.
He spent less than 10 minutes tied with Sundin atop the organizational goal-scoring list before taking the title for himself with another goal that was so perfectly on brand for No. 34: a one-timer off a cross-ice dish from Bobby McMann placed perfectly below the outstretched glove of Rittich. That release remains unparalleled.
The celebration met the moment, too, as Matthews was clobbered against the glass by his teammates, all pouring out of the bench to congratulate the franchise’s greatest-ever goal-scorer.
Matthews’ 421st career goal came in his 10th season in blue and white, and just his 664th game. That’s a remarkable pace. Keep it up, and he could be hunting down more history that extends far beyond blue and white.
Toronto responds late, but Islanders get the last word
Schaefer did his best impression of Matthews with his third-period goal to tie things up 2-2 with just under nine minutes to go in regulation. The rookie’s goal-scoring prowess was obvious in overtime, too, when he buried a wrister for the win and cap his gutsy performance that included starting OT with a nearly two-minute shift.
This kid is the real deal, and the Maple Leafs saw that first-hand Saturday night. Try as they might to snuff the home team with a lockdown defensive performance in the third, Schaefer was the spark that reignited his club — much like Matthews was for his own.
Even after Nick Robertson responded a minute later to regain Toronto’s lead — another silver lining for the visitors, considering the young forward’s chemistry with rookie Easton Cowan on display again — the Islanders kept the pressure on high. Emil Heineman tied the game late to force overtime and set the stage for the comeback win.
Toronto’s loss repeats a similar story for the club this year. The team has a league-worst .625 win percentage when leading after two periods. Saturday marks their third overtime loss when leading after 40 minutes.
Maple Leafs maintain some momentum ahead of measuring-stick game vs. Panthers
The Islanders are the better club in the standings at the moment — and certainly played like it on Saturday night — but it’s hard not to circle Tuesday’s matchup against the Florida Panthers as the real measurement. Despite the injuries to the back-to-back defending champs, this is still a club that’s delivered more than a little heartbreak in recent history.
Mere months after dominating the Atlantic Division playoff race, these two clubs find themselves currently outside the post-season picture, all tied up with 45 points apiece. A win for Toronto would see the Maple Leafs’ slow-and-steady climb out of the basement continue as the organization looks to gain some footing after a dreadful first half of the season.
Despite Saturday’s overtime loss against the Islanders, there’s still momentum here. Saturday marked the Maple Leafs’ sixth straight game without a regulation loss.
Matthews’ sudden offensive surge suggests he’s back. Even with Saturday’s loss, it’s fair to ask at the midseason mark and ahead of a pivotal point in the campaign: Are we about to see the Maple Leafs climb back, too?
