Matthews to Anderson: "Thanks 'FOUR' making my first game memorable'

Ryan Young

Matthews to Anderson: "Thanks 'FOUR' making my first game memorable' image

When Auston Matthews made his NHL debut last season, he didn’t hold back.

The No. 1 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft scored four goals against the Senators on Oct. 12, 2016. While Toronto fell 5-4 in overtime that night in Ottawa, Matthews certainly made his presence known.

Matthews picked up two goals in the first period and his third just 85 seconds into the second period. His first three goals came on his first three shot attempts in the NHL. He picked up one more goal near the end of the second period.

Matthews also became the first player in the modern era to score four goals in his NHL debut.

 

“It’s pretty unbelievable,” Matthews said after the game. “You don’t really draw it up like that, so it’s definitely pretty special. … You don’t really get too many of those games. It’s just one game. I’ll take it and move forward.”

Of course, Matthews did just that, scoring 40 goals last season and capturing the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie.

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While the game was a memorable one for Matthews, Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson had different feelings.

"In my head during that game, I’m like, ‘get me out of here!’” Anderson explained.

Anderson wasn’t too upset, though. He found Matthews after the game and had him sign his stick.

Matthews didn’t let that moment go to waste. He wrote: ’Thanks ‘FOUR’ making my first game memorable.’

“It makes me giggle every time I look at it,” Anderson said.

The 20-year-old, who scored 40 goals and had 69 points last season, picked up where he left off by recording three points in his sophomore season debut Wednesday as the Maple Leafs hammered the Winnipeg Jets 7-2.

Anderson and Matthews will face off for the first time this season on Oct. 21 when the Maple Leafs head to Ottawa.

Ryan Young