Maple Leafs’ Matthews breaks salary-cap era record held by ex-Sharks winger

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews made history on Saturday, shattering a salary cap-era record that had stood for close to two decades. The San Ramon native showcased his extraordinary talent by netting his sixth hat-trick of the season, surpassing the previous milestone set by a former San Jose Sharks winger.

Matthews’s outstanding performance propelled him to a league-leading 48 goals in just 52 games, further solidifying his status as one of the NHL’s most prolific goal-scorers. In a dominant display against the Anaheim Ducks, Matthews not only secured three goals but also contributed two assists, leading the Maple Leafs to a resounding 9-2 victory.

His scoring spree began early in the game, with Matthews finding the back of the net at the 3:41 mark of the first period. He continued his onslaught with two more goals in the second period, as Toronto surged to a commanding 7-1 lead before ultimately sealing the win at 9-2.

This remarkable feat marked Matthews’s 13th career hat-trick, placing him in esteemed company alongside Pat LaFontaine for most hat tricks in a single season by a U.S.-born player.

Anaheim’s goaltender Lukas Dostal started the game but struggled to contain Matthews and the Maple Leafs’ offensive onslaught, conceding four goals on 18 shots. Midway through the second period, Dostal was replaced by John Gibson, who also struggled to stem the tide, allowing four goals on nine shots as Toronto extended their lead to 8-1. Despite making nine saves on 14 shots, Gibson couldn’t thwart Matthews’s relentless attack.

Matthews’s stellar performance on Saturday followed another hat-trick just two days prior, underscoring his consistent excellence on the ice. His season-opening hat-tricks against Montreal and Minnesota in October, followed by additional ones against Buffalo in November and Calgary in January, set the stage for his record-breaking achievement.

By surpassing Jonathan Cheechoo’s salary cap-era record of five hat-tricks in a season, set during the 2005-2006 campaign, Matthews has etched his name into NHL history. Cheechoo’s remarkable season saw him tally 56 goals, still a franchise record for the Sharks, earning him the prestigious Rocket Richard Trophy as the league’s top goal-scorer.

Interestingly, Cheechoo’s hat-tricks coincided with the arrival of Joe Thornton in San Jose, with three of them coming against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, along with others against the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Los Angeles Kings.

Matthews’s achievement brings him closer to the NHL’s overall record for hat-tricks in a season, held by the legendary Wayne Gretzky, who achieved the feat twice in 1981-82 and 1983-84.

As Matthews continues to dazzle fans and defy expectations, his electrifying performances are not only rewriting the record books but also solidifying his legacy as one of hockey’s most formidable talents.