The Philadelphia Flyers found out why Auston Matthews is making a serious bid for 70 goals this season in a few short minutes on Thursday.
The Toronto Maple Leafs star had a natural hat trick in a span of 7:49 late in the second period, erasing a 1-0 deficit in a hurry.
The three-goal flurry, giving Matthews 45 on the season, caused several changes to the Leafs' record book.
It was Matthews' fifth hat trick of the season, tying a franchise record.
It also marked his 72nd career multi-goal game, overtaking Darryl Sittler's record of 71.
Matthews now has 27 goals in the team's first 25 home games, tying a record set by Charlie Conacher in 1933-34.
Matthews is now on pace for 71 goals. No player has scored 70 in a season since Teemu Selanne and Alexander Mogilny each scored 76 in 1992-93.
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.