Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews Rocket Caps off Comeback Win

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews did what he does best last night – show everyone in the NHL that he is a force to be reckoned with.

The Toronto Maple Leafs franchise player helped the team cap off a late comeback, beating the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime Monday night. The Maple Leafs dug themselves a hole with a 3-1 third-period deficit, but clawed their way back into the game and skated away with two points.

Connor Brown notched a goal, and James van Riemsdyk knotted the score with a late power play marker to force overtime. The 20-year-old Auston Matthews did the rest. He finished the job with an absolute missile past Blackhawks’ goalie Anton Forsberg. This just isn’t fair.

More from Puck Prose

• Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
• This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
• 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
• 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
• This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings

Matthews gains possession of the puck after his countryman Patrick Kane looses it, and churns it up ice. In what seemed like less than a second, he brought the home crowd at the Air Canada Centre to its feet. One second the game was on, and in the blink of an eye it was over. With one of the quickest snap shots ever seen, Matthews sent the Leafs faithful home happy with a 3-0 record.

We will be seeing this snipe over and over again for a long time. It is easily the prettiest goal scored thus far in this young season.

The Leafs are at the top of the Atlantic Division, and Auston Matthews is playing a vital role in that. Matthews has come out of the gate red hot to start this season. The young center has tallied two goals and three assists in five contests. Furthermore, he shows no signs of slowing down. It’s a crime Matthews doesn’t have more points, he’s looked dangerous every shift so far this season.

The young American burst onto the scene last year during his rookie campaign. After being selected with the first overall selection in the 2016 NHL draft, Matthews didn’t waste time to show his merit. The kid went on to record 40 goals and 29 assists, good for 69 points. Those totals were the highest among rookies and tied for 20th in the league.

Next: Maple Leafs All-Time Dream Team

The scary thing is, we haven’t seen the best of him. Auston Matthews will only get better, and even more entertaining to watch. The rest of the league better take notes.