Auston Matthews becomes fastest US-born player to reach 50 goals
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Auston Matthews scored his 50th and 51st goals of the season in his hometown to become the fastest U.S.-born player to reach 50 and help the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the crumbling Arizona Coyotes 6-3 on Wednesday night.
Matthews’ milestone goal came on a power play 5:01 into the game, his 54th game of the season — making him the fastest player to score 50 in a season since Mario Lemieux did it in 50 games in 1995-96. Wayne Gretzky holds the record, scoring his 50th in his 39th game for Edmonton in 1981-82.
Matthews scored off a rebound in the second period to make it 4-2. The 26-year-old center from nearby Scottsdale has nine goals in his last four games and 350 in his career in 535 games.
Matthews and the Maple Leafs sent the Coyotes to their 11th straight loss.