Watch: Matthews scores goal No. 40, makes Maple Leafs history

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews. James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Auston Matthews scores goal No. 40, makes incredible Maple Leafs history

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 1/27/24

Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews reached an incredible career milestone and set a franchise record in a 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday.

At 15:28 of the third period, Matthews became the first player this season in the NHL to net goal No. 40, recording his 600th career point in the process.

MATTHEWS. 40 GOALS. FASTEST LEAF TO 600 POINTS pic.twitter.com/vNTvs92Z1M
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 28, 2024

Reaching the landmark number in 527 games, he became the fastest player in Maple Leafs history to accomplish the feat, passing teammate Mitch Marner (548 games).

Meanwhile, Matthews' tally helped him become the fastest Maple Leaf to reach the 40-goal mark in a season, doing so in only 46 games.

Likewise, it's his fifth consecutive season with 40 goals or more and sixth overall, a franchise record and the second-most among American-born players in NHL history behind only Hall of Famers Joe Mullen and Pat LaFontaine (seven), per NHL public relations.

The goal was also No. 339 of Matthews' NHL tenure. Only seven players had more upon recording their 600th point, including Cam Neely (340), Tim Kerr (341), Rick Vaive (342), Peter Bondra (344), Reggie Leach (350), Brett Hull (353) and Maurice Richard (357).

Matthews' remarkable achievement helped the Leafs clinch a third victory in a row, improving to 25-14-8, which is good enough for sixth in the Eastern Conference.

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