It's also the most goals by a NHL rookie since Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, who was 20 at the time, scored 52 goals in 2005-06. The rookie record is 76, set by Teemu Selanne of the Winnipeg Jets in 1992-93.
The goal gave Matthews 67 points (39 goals, 28 assists), setting a Maple Leafs rookie record. The previous high was 66 points (28 goals, 38 assists) in 80 games by Peter Ihnacak in 1982-83.
Matthews has a goal in five consecutive games, making him the third Maple Leafs rookie to have a goal-scoring streak that long. He joins Alf Skinner, who scored in six straight games during the 1917-18 season, and Gaye Stewart, who had a goal in five in a row in 1942-43, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Matthews is tied with Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins for second in the NHL in goals, behind Sidney Crosby's League-high 43 for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Matthews leads NHL rookies in goals and points.
After the game Monday, Matthews said more important to him was that the win moved the Maple Leafs into second place in the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins, with four games remaining. The Maple Leafs play the Washington Capitals at home Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; TSN4, CSN-DC, NHL.TV).
"I've played with some pretty good players, so a lot of credit to them," Matthews said. "I think the most important part is, for the team, we've been getting better and better each game, each segment. We're in a good spot right now, and we just want to continue to play well."
