Auston Matthews reached an impressive milestone by scoring the 400th goal of his career in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 4-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night. This achievement not only highlights Matthews’ individual prowess, but also secures the Atlantic Division title for the Leafs.
In addition, Mitch Marner, another Maple Leafs star, reached a new personal record by reaching 100 points during the same game. The team secured second place in the Eastern Conference and is preparing to face the Ottawa Senators, their provincial rivals from Ontario, in the playoffs.
Matthews, selected as the number one pick in the 2016 draft, is the sixth-fastest player in NHL history to reach 400 goals, achieving this feat in his 628th game.
It means a lot. Ultimately, I think it’s a team achievement. It’s a team sport. There’s a lot that goes into it. And I’m just fortunate that it came off my stick a couple of times.
Auston Matthews
This milestone makes Matthews the second player in franchise history to reach 400 goals, joining Mats Sundin. It is expected that, health permitting, Matthews will surpass John LeClair (406 goals) at the start of next season, positioning himself among the top American-born goalscorers.
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz also had a standout performance, closing out his first season in Toronto with a shutout and a 4-0-1 record against the Sabres. The team set a franchise record with 25 road wins and clinched their third division title.
I feel very confident in this group. We worked hard during the season. Winning the division was a big step for us, but we only want to keep going.
Auston Matthews
Coach Craig Berube, also in his first season with the Maple Leafs, praised the team’s commitment and highlighted the importance of leadership.
Acceptance is everything, and they have accepted it. It starts with our leadership group and it carries over. That’s the bottom line.
Craig Berube
Berube, who won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, brings his postseason experience to the team, which is looking to advance beyond the first round. The coach emphasized the importance of the team’s identity, which continues to evolve throughout the season.
