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Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews Chasing Another Rocket Trophy

By Jeremy Ridgewell

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs scores at 3:52 of the first period against Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs scores at 3:52 of the first period against Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the New York Rangers on Tuesday night, with Auston Matthews picking up four points. Matthews registered two goals and two assists on the night to help the Leafs win 7-3.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are now 6-1-3 in their last ten games.

They are sitting in third place in the Atlantic Division with 35 points.

The Leafs are four points back of the division-leading Boston Bruins (39 points) but only one point behind the second-place Florida Panthers.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews Chasing Another Rocket Trophy

One night after Leafs captain John Tavares recorded the 1,000th point of his NHL career, Matthews became the first player to reach 20 goals this season.

His second goal of the game on Tuesday was his 21st of the season and briefly had him leading the NHL in goals. However, Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser recorded a hat-trick in the Canucks 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He now shares the NHL lead in goals with Matthews.

Matthews and Boeser started the season neck and neck in scoring, so it’s only fitting that it continues throughout the season.

As for Matthews, he is chasing after his third Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy in four years. He won his first Rocket Trophy in 2021 with 41 goals.

The following season, he won it again with 60 goals. Last season, the trophy winner was Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid. Matthews is looking to reclaim the NHL scoring title. He is on pace for 66 goals in 82 games. (Stats from hockey-reference.com)

Both Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs are playing well right now. The Leafs have a record of 10-2-3 in their last 15 games.

Matthews has seven goals and four assists for 11 points in the past six games. His four points on Tuesday marks 11 games this season where Matthews has recorded multiple points. In seven of those games, he has multiple goals.

With his knack for scoring two goals or more in a game, Matthews is creeping towards another Toronto Maple Leafs franchise record.

He has 66 two-goal games in his career as a Leaf. Darryl Sittler’s franchise record of 71 two-goal games is within reach. It’s hard to imagine what the record will be once Matthews is no longer a member of the Leafs.

Next. Now the Leafs Must Wait. dark

Matthews is signed until the end of the 2027-28 season. Whether he re-signs with the Leafs at that point or not, he will hold many of the franchise records by that point.

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