He did it.
During the first period of the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, rookie sensation Auston Matthews scored his 35th goal of the season.
The goal breaks the tie and moves Matthews into sole possession of the Leafs’ single-season rookie scoring record, topping the mark that Wendel Clark set back in 1985-86.
Matthews continues to lead the Leafs with 62 points, and is helping the team into a position to make a run at the playoffs for the first time since 2012-13.
In comparison, Clark had 45 points in his rookie season and the Leafs managed just 57 points with a 25-48-7 record.
Matthews is now first in goals and points among all NHL rookies, one ahead of Winnipeg’s Patrik Laine in each.
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