Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34). Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

NHL futures: Is Auston Matthews the betting favorite to be the NHL's top goal scorer?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 10/16/23

You don't have to be a hockey fan to have heard that Auston Matthews is on a heater.

The Toronto Maple Leafs forward became just the fifth player in NHL history to record hat tricks in each of his first two games of a season, starting his 2023-24 campaign with six goals in just two contests.

Of course, a hot start like this is great for a player's chances of winning the Rocket Richard Trophy — which is awarded to the league's top goal-scoreer after the conclusion of the regular season. So, just how has Matthews' start impacted the odds he will be the league's top goal-scorer by season's end?

⭐️ Auston Matthews (6-0—6 in 2 GP) became the fifth player in NHL history – and just the second since the League’s inaugural campaign (1917-18) – to record a hat trick in each of his first two games of a season.#NHLStats: https://t.co/VaotwBugbf pic.twitter.com/VBcULr7mcq
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 16, 2023

Not surprisingly, Matthews — who won the Rocket Richard in 2021 and again in 2022 — is currently the favorite at DraftKings to be the NHL's top goal-scorer this season at +185 odds. His season start helped him leap-frog past preseason favorite Connor McDavid, who is the second favorite at +300 (3-1) odds after tallying three points (one goal, two assists) in the Edmonton Oilers' first two games this season. McDavid is also an obvious favorite to lead the league in goals given that he is the reigning Rocket Richard winner and coming off of a 153-point season.

Connor McDavid scores his first goal of the season on the power-play to tie the game 2-2 early in the second period!

McDavid also extends his home point streak to 22 games going back to last season! #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/UQOIx9ArcH
— Eric Friesen (@EricJFriesen) October 15, 2023

Other favorites to lead the NHL in goals this season are McDavid's teammate Leon Draisaitl (7-1) and Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak (15-2), as Colorado Avalanche scorer Mikko Rantanen and New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes (both listed at 14-1.)

Check out Yardbarker's betting hub for more previews, predictions, news and analysis.

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