Auston Matthews breaks Leafs franchise record for most goals in a season with 55

Matthews broke the record on a power-play goal late in the second period against the Dallas Stars to give the Leafs a 2-1 lead. Matthews previously tied the record with a three-goal performance on Monday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, which got him goals 52, 53 and 54.

The goal passes Rick Vaive for most goals in a season by a Maple Leafs player. Vaive has held the record since the 1981-82 season, during which he scored 54 goals in 77 games, along with 35 assists for 89 points overall.

Matthews has been having a dominant season, even by his standards, as along with the 55 goals, he has 41 assists for 96 points in just 65 games and two periods. He currently sits fifth in the league in points and first in goals, with that along with his two-way game giving him strong consideration for the Hart Trophy this season.

If not for COVID-19 shortening two seasons, he probably would have achieved the feat sooner. He was on pace for 55 in 2019-20 before the seasons got suspended and would have easily cleared it in the shortened 2020-21 season with his 64-goal pace. Matthews is also on pace for 64 this season.