Auston Matthews, the center of the Toronto Maple Leafs, went on to win the hearts of many fans as he recorded his second triple point in two games to commence the 2023 NFL season.
Auston Matthews is the 5th player in NHL history to start a season with a hat trick in each of his team's first two games.
He joins Alex Ovechkin in 2017-18, Reg Noble in 1917-18, Joe Malone in 1917-18 and Cy Denneny in 1917-18. pic.twitter.com/kWOLB2JMCY
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 15, 2023
According to ESPN Stats and Info, “Auston Matthews is the 5th player in NHL history to start a season with a hat trick in each of his team’s first two games. He joins Alex Ovechkin in 2017-18, Reg Noble in 1917-18, Joe Malone in 1917-18 and Cy Denneny in 1917-18.”
IT'S BACK TO BACK HAT TRICKS!! 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/aVEa26Z9k5
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 15, 2023
Ilya Samsonov made 28 stops, and William Nylander scored two goals and provided an assist.
Tyler Bertuzzi scored as well, and Calle Jarnkrok added a goal and an assist. Morgan Rielly and Mitch Marner both had two assists.
As per the Associated Press, Matthews expressed, “I want to play at the highest level that I can every night,”
“I’m not really thinking in the past or thinking about years in the past. It’s all about today.”
“Just trying to go out and put in my best effort and do what I can to help the team.”
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe also said, “You don’t expect back-to-back hat tricks, of course, but I’ve gotten somewhat comfortable and used to Auston having big nights, making a big impact,”
“To do so back-to-back nights to start a season, it’s terrific.”
Minnesota’s scorers were Matt Boldy, Ryan Hartman, Marco Rossi, and Brandon Duhaime. However, 26 shots were stopped by Filip Gustavsson.
On Monday, the Toronto Maple Leafs will host the Chicago Blackhawks.
