Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews becomes first NHLer to score 50 even-strength goals in a season in 31 years

With a goal six minutes into Thursday’s game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils, Auston Matthews became the first player to score 50 even-strength goals in a single season since Teemu Selanne did with the old Winnipeg Jets in 1992-93.

The goal, assisted by Max Domi and T.J. Brodie, was Matthews’ 67th goal of the season. It was also his 366th career goal, passing Dave Keon for third on the Maple Leafs’ all-time goals list.

Near the midway mark of the second period, Matthews would score his second goal of the game, giving him 68 on the season. Now with 367 career goals, he is 22 behind Darryl Sittler for No. 2 on the list and 53 behind Mats Sundin for most on the all-time list.

Scoring his 50th and 51st even-strength goal, the 26-year-old Matthews is now tied for 10th with Phil Esposito’s 1970-71 season with the Boston Bruins and Reggie Leach’s 1975-76 campaign with the Philadelphia Flyers on the all-time single-season list. Wayne Gretzky holds the record for most even-strength goals in one season, scoring 68 in the 1981-82 campaign with the Edmonton Oilers.

Going into Thursday night, the Maple Leafs were 46-23-9 with 101 points, third in the Atlantic Division. They’re three points behind the Florida Panthers for No. 2 in the division, the difference between the two spots being home-ice advantage in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.