The 2025-26 season has been filled with more downs than ups for the Toronto Maple Leafs. But if there’s one major up this season, it’s Saturday night’s franchise-setting goal.
During the late stages of the second period of the Maple Leafs’ game against the New York Islanders, captain Auston Matthews fired a shot past Isles goalie David Rittich to give the Buds a 2-1 lead.
The goal was Matthews’ second of the night, and fifth in the last two games. The Maple Leafs’ leading goal-scorer fired a hat-trick against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night. He followed that up with another multi-goal performance in Long Island.
Matthews scored his 421st goal as a member of the Maple Leafs. The goal pushed him past team legend and Hall of Famer Mats Sundin for first place in club history.
The first-overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft has been no stranger to scoring. He set an NHL record by scoring four times in his first NHL game. He’s a two-time 60-goal scorer and a Hart Trophy winner.
Despite having a seemingly down year this season, Matthews has rediscovered his game. He’s currently riding a hot streak, leading the Maple Leafs back into the playoff hunt. Saturday night’s game against the Islanders was a crucial one as the Maple Leafs look to continue making up ground in the Atlantic Division.
Matthews Rounding Back into Usual Form
One of the most noticeable things about Auston Matthews’ recent return to form has been his shot. Over the last couple of seasons, Matthews has seemed devoid of his patented rocket of a shot.
That shot was on full display on his record-breaking goal. Matthews took a pass from Bobby McMann, firing a wicked one-timer past Rittich.
His first goal of the night, however, was the result of a strong drive to the net. He made a move worth of a power forward, sliding the puck past the Islanders’ netminder for the Maple Leafs’ first goal.
Moving forward, the Maple Leafs will be counting on Matthews to return to his usual form.
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