Auston Matthews is ready for the season to start.
The second-year Toronto Maple Leafs forward, coming off a rookie campaign in which he scored 40 goals, wasted little time putting the puck in the net in a preseason game against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday.
Inside the first minute, Matthews collected the puck at the Leafs' blue line and skated into the Canadiens' zone, using defenceman Shea Weber as a screen while unleashing a laser shot that hit the back of Al Montoya's net before the Montreal netminder had a chance to react.
So quick, so good. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/s5XwGQIUJF
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 26, 2017
Matthews followed his first goal up with a second just 4:56 into the opening period, poking the puck into the net after having his first attempt blocked.
3rd time lucky as @AM34 makes it 2-0 @MapleLeafs. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/rVDQqro58i
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 26, 2017
The 20-year-old wasn't finished, though. He completed a preseason hat trick early in the third period when he broke past the Montreal defense and through goaltender Al Montoya, much to the delight of the hometown fans.
Ain't no catching Auston. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/B8T4QQgon3
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 26, 2017
The Maple Leafs being the regular season in eight days on the road against the Winnipeg Jets, and Matthews looks poised to avoid a sophomore slump.