Remember that scoring slump Auston Matthews was going through? You know, without a point in seven games -- last month?
Well, that is long gone.
On Saturday, the Maple Leafs star rookie -- don’t they have three of those? -- scored a beauty, putting on a dazzling display of quick hands. Off the rush, Matthews picked up the puck off a bounce and immediately chipped it top shelf on Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard.
That was his 37th goal of the season. Not bad.
Not only does Matthews lead all rookies in that category -- Patrik Laine had an impressive 34 goals entering tonight’s slate of games -- but he’s now fourth in the league in goals and only six back of the leader Sidney Crosby.
More importantly, that goal tied the game at 1-1. The Maple Leafs, pushing for a playoff spot in the East, went on to open up a lead on goals from other very talented rookies Mitch Marner and William Nylander.