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Maple Leafs’ bench clears to celebrate Auston Matthews’ franchise record-setting goal
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Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Arun Srinivasan
Jan 3, 2026, 21:07 ESTUpdated: Jan 3, 2026, 21:06 EST
Auston Matthews is now the Toronto Maple Leafs’ all-time goals leader, setting the franchise record during Saturday’s game against the New York Islanders.
Matthews scored twice during the second period, registering the 420th and 421st goals of his career, passing Mats Sundin to set the Leafs’ franchise record. Here is the record-setting goal:
After Matthews recorded the franchise record-setting goal, the Leafs’ bench spilled out onto the ice to celebrate the milestone with their captain.
It’s a well-deserved accomplishment for Matthews, who will be in line to set several other franchise records during his tenure with the Maple Leafs. Matthews is one of the most prolific goal-scorers of his generation, two years removed from a 69-goal campaign, and his prowess was evident from his first career game, where he scored four times against the Ottawa Senators.
“It’s special just to be in the same sentence as (Sundin),” Matthews said after a January 1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. “Obviously, guys like him and a number of others that came before us paved the way. I’ve worn the jersey and I think we all take a lot of pride in wearing the jersey and realize how special it is. So it definitely means a lot.”
Matthews is playing his best hockey of the season, recording a hat-trick against the Jets on New Year’s Day. If he can return to the form he displayed for the majority of his career, Matthews could propel the Maple Leafs to their 10th consecutive playoff appearance, after a perilous start to the campaign.
Sundin is a franchise legend and he’s always welcomed Matthews during his decade with the Maple Leafs. It’s clear that Sundin has offered Matthews well wishes, upon taking over the top spot in the record book.
“I couldn’t be prouder to see him break my record,” Sundin recently told NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger.
It’s an incredible accomplishment for Matthews, who will surely be considered one of the franchise’s all-time greats when he eventually retires. Matthews will certainly have enough time to build a sizeable gap, over the rest of the competition.
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