Another year, another 30-goal season for Auston Matthews.
The Maple Leafs super sophomore reached the milestone in the first period of Wednesday night's 4-3 win over the Panthers, taking William Nylander's pass and firing a wrist shot past Roberto Luongo to give Toronto a 2-0 lead.
With the marker, Matthews became the third player in Maple Leafs franchise history to start his NHL career with back-to-back 30-goal seasons, matching the accomplishments of Wendel Clark and Daniel Marois.
Auston Matthews became just the third player in @MapleLeafs franchise history to begin his NHL career (all w/TOR) with consecutive 30-goal seasons. #NHLStats #FLAvsTOR pic.twitter.com/fHBGaLXPMQ
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 29, 2018
Matthews is also the third Maple Leaf to reach the 30-goal plateau this season. He joins James van Riemsdyk (35) and Nazem Kadri (30) as the only trio of teammates with 30+ goals in the NHL this campaign.
The 2017 Calder Trophy winner, who has two goals in four games since returning from injury, has now scored 60 even-strength goals since entering the league, matching 2017 Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid for the most over that span.
That's Matthews' 60th even-strength goal since the start of last season; a mark only matched by Connor McDavid (who has played 20 more games) pic.twitter.com/v3JfL9x8ab
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) March 29, 2018
With the victory on Matthews' milestone night, Toronto (46-24-7) set a new franchise record for wins (46) and home wins (27) in a single season.
Matthews and the Maple Leafs will return to action on Friday against the Islanders at Barclays Center.