No NHLer has done THIS in 31 YEARS

Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs is on pace to score 70 goals, which hasn't been done in the NHL since 1993 (over 30 years!). Can he reach the 70 goal mark? In this video I analyze how likely it is that he's able to do it.
#torontomapleleafs #austonmatthews #hockeyhistory
0:00 Intro
0:57 The rarity of a 70-goal scorer
2:13 Why haven't we seen one for 30 years?!
3:48 Matthews' quest for 70
5:21 What Matthews has changed this year
7:53 Conclusion
Thumbnail credit: @thedesignpear
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS
Maple leafs, toronto hockey, leafs hockey

[@CunuckHockey]

Update: Matthews is now at 54 goals in 63 games, putting him on pace for just UNDER 70 goals over 81 games (he's missed one game already this year).

[@Raraoolala]

69 goals with 2 games left, @FLA and @TBL - let's see history folks!

[@JUSTTRANSCEND]

Im 45 when someone says 30 years ago, I keep thinking the 1970s lol.

[@mariusjurtz]

I‘m only 36 but this is still very relatable 😂

[@justanothernick3984]

Us 40+ers... We are getting old.

[@erikm9768]

Haha i feel the same!!

[@alexanderstevens145]

That’s kinda scary 😧

[@erikm9768]

​@@justanothernick3984 getting old was 10 years ago

[@mrFunkyPickle]

All of this puts into perspective how crazy Mcdavids 153 point season last year was. That is an even smaller group of players. We are lucky to have such amazing players playing our game right now

[@bransonb.v.ehrlich1699]

By far one of the best in depth update, charts, graphs, stats on things I didn't even know you could find. Please keep it up 🤘🏼

[@CunuckHockey]

Much appreciated! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@CunuckHockey]

Update: Matthews is now at 48 goals in 52 games😱Putting him on pace for 76 over a full year! I'll keep updating this comment with his pace as the season goes on. Insane stuff

[@ryanlunn9152]

And on pace for 74.77 over course of 81 cause he missed one game with illness. This man is inevitable

[@starpetalarts6668]

Okay... so what about 80?

[@sneakmore]

Matthews was drafted 8 years ago and has 13 total hat tricks, 6 of those are this year. last person to get 6 hat tricks in a season was Lemieux in '95-'96 (played 70 games finished with 69 goals) and Alexander Mogilny in '92-'93 when he had 7 hat tricks and finished with 76 goals. if we're going to assume just based off of past trends it would almost be more surprising if he didnt get 70 this season

[@elainetrench2537]

His 6 hat tricks so far this year is more than any other TEAM in the NHL right now (2-19-24). And he's breaking all sorts of career Leafs records in scoring already (remember, the Leafs have been around for over 100 years).His scoring pace is faster than Ovechkin at the same point in their careers. Yes, we're witnessing history.

[@justinthenickoftime807]

@@starpetalarts6668 next year

[@itsjaynguyen]

1993 wasnt just 10 years ago.. that hit me lol

[@CunuckHockey]

Lmao I hate to be the one to remind you

[@lukebeaman1748]

I just hit 27 and I'm starting to have moments like this dose it get more or less depressing

[@jasonjansen9831]

I forgot about the Gretz 92 goal season sweet jesus. I think that record is safe for a while.

[@MuffyCakeMan]

Goalies were absolute trash

[@jasonjansen9831]

@@MuffyCakeMan So were the sticks they were using

[@billboggs6641]

Played most of his career with a bodyguard and Protection of The NHL who were trying to sell the game in the U.S. They needed a lot of excitement and goal scoring. Only guy that ever laid him out basically disappeared

[@jaymsfv]

@@jasonjansen9831doesn’t matter when the butterfly wasn’t a common practice, shoot it at the net and you got a goal

[@chrishaughton1747]

Gretzky was plain great. You can make any excuse. Either way, no one gets close to him in a season. He is the best of all time.

[@bilbobaggins4462]

That is an astonishingly small number - 7635. In the HISTORY of the NHL. Over 100 years. Every minor hockey parent should watch this video!

[@CunuckHockey]

It honestly blew my mind when I was making this video too

[@bilbobaggins4462]

@@CunuckHockey Great video BTW - subscribed!🙂

[@s1acker6]

@@bilbobaggins4462 suck him off more

[@v4v819]

What you talking about mushmouth... My boys going all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@s1acker6]

@@v4v819 "your boys" is an embarrassing way to refer to a team but its 2024 and being homosexual is completely acceptable

[@MichaelSantonato]

Amazing. Great vid.

[@tobecek]

nice video with very interesting data, thanks!

[@CunuckHockey]

Glad you liked it!

[@felixtisell6095]

Great vid!

[@brendancherry3890]

nicely analyzed, not a big Matthews fan, but would be sick to see him surpass 70

[@DeepFriedLiver]

One crazy thing is 2 of the 8 70 goal getters really owe that accomplishment to Wayne Gretzky. Bernie N scored 32 the year before his 70 goal season. Then WG got traded to LA. Nichols played 1 season with WB and got 70. Next year he was traded and he only scored 39. JK wanna guess what years JK had his most productive seasons including his 1 70 goal season. If you guessed years he played along with WG while he was posting insane 200 point seasons you’re right. Bottom line is although those players were very good on their own. They undoubtedly would not have hit 70 without Gretzky on their line.

[@CunuckHockey]

To be fair, Nicholls didn't play on a line with Gretzky consistently (although he did get PP time with him which accounted for a large portion of his goals/points that year). But you're absolutely right about Kurri for sure.

[@sandraberube641]

One thing about this as long he’s not injured playing hockey 🏒, that’s what about, Auston Matthews is playing a lot better and scoring goals, bless him, 👏👏👏💙🇨🇦💙👍👍

[@netropolis]

Very Well Done... and YES I was like "1992 wasn't THAT long ago" when you said it. 🤣

[@CunuckHockey]

Time flies my friend 😂

[@MeanStreamFraudCast]

Turning 32 in March, boys. It seems like just yesterday but it also feels like a hundred years ago lol cheers! 🍻

[@gripnsip3000]

it's so weird bro, someone can say 1992 or 2005 and either way my brain's like "ok so 12 years" before i think about it for a second

[@johnshields6852]

Gretskys 213 points in 1 season will never be touched, I watched every game, he was a magician with the biscuit.

[@warriorofthewest3340]

I'm pretty sure his record is 215, but still, you're right

[@user-we2yt5on9b]

Although he never had a 213 point season, he did get 215 in 85-86

[@pwr2ppl183]

Your content is worthy of ESPN. Well done

[@CunuckHockey]

haha thank you so much! I don't think I'm there quite yet but I still really appreciate the kind words

[@Mr.Be93]

Can he keep up this pace? Yes, will he? Probably not. Many other factors must come into play here. As the season winds down, competition stiffens, so the team as a whole needs to be better, and win a lot of the remaining 35 games. 50 for sure, 60, quite likely, but 70? All the chips will have to fall in the right place for that to happen. If only he didn't have that 9 game stretch where he got only 1 goal. I hope he gets it though, because as a leaf fan, I know there won't be anything else to cheer about aside from his personal achievement. The leafs, at this rate, will be lucky to enter the post season. We'll see...

[@MikeC-nu7ty]

If he stays healthy he hits it.

[@jeremyburns5247]

After last night's hattrick, I think he is on pace for 72 if he plays 82 games

[@FredsPenner]

Just about there, chip’s keep falling into place I guess 😂

[@Mr.Be93]

@@FredsPenner Since Marner's absence, his game has evolved and the pairing with Domi, Bertuzi has also paid off. 2 more to go :).

[@sneakmore]

worth saying tho that despite Teemu and Mogilny both having 76 in a season that Teemu played 84 games and Alexander Mogilny played 77, so if Mogilny hadn't have missed 7 we could have seen 80. Fantastic video though id subscribe twice if i could

[@CunuckHockey]

Yep, you're right about Mogilny. Criminal that he isn't in the HHOF to be honest. And thanks for the support! Glad you enjoyed the vid!

[@TechTokOffical]

Somebody needs to do a highlight on mario's "cancer" season. The fact it didn't end with a cup overshadows what ACTUALLY happened that season

[@GachaMouse]

And look at him now, 66 goals with 4 games left. Lets go!!! Just as he doesnt wear himself out for the playoffs, but i think this year is differant😊 GLG!!

[@hockey_all_star5895]

If he stays healthy I have no doubt he can do it, the guy just finds a way to score in bunches in almost every game and rarely has bad slumps, the year he scored 60 he only played 73 games I think

[@starpetalarts6668]

There's only 5 players to start a season with back-to-backs, only 2 to do two back-to-backs in one season... not a single one has the Turkey... that is until Monday right?

[@MetaModern87]

Great individual performance. Still can't make it more than 2 rounds in the playoffs because hockey is...checks notes...a team sport.

[@malibudan]

Mathew's soft hands enable him to puck manage better than most picking up loose bouncing pucks and getting off quick shots with excellent placement. He looks more relaxed on the ice this year, remember a few years back he had a bad wrist injury, now he looks healthy. A real joy to watch.

[@charlesmclearn4642]

And since this video he has had 9 Goals in 7 games (7 in his last 3). The shot speed is interesting. I remember Brett Hull being asked about his shot and how it must have been one of the hardest shots in the league, mainly because his father Bobby had one of the hardest shots in NHL history at the time, but when they measured his shots he was only hitting mid 80s at the most. But it was his quickness of getting shot off was lethal

[@BraveCat9927]

the last few years of hockey have been incredible to watch

[@MXJEFF94]

IN TODAYS NHL (YES, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE)...For AM34 to get 70+ is INSANE. Goalie equipment (significantly larger) and better team defense make it so much harder to score in todays game.

[@Hushoo]

The dude can shoot off of both the inside and outside foot and has been developing that Hull sideboards one-timer for the longest time. I still think his biggest asset is his quick and unconventional release in conjunction with his first touch on the puck that makes full use of his hand-eye coordination.

[@beerleagueeverything8030]

Sam Reinhart ain’t doing too shabby right now either, but nobody really mentions him due to people jockin’ Matthews

[@CunuckHockey]

Reinhart's been incredible all season, probably one of the most unexpected runs I've seen in a while. Definitely deserves his flowers too!

[@Yshtola.]

Matthews is a madman

[@Rubbinz24]

Got 50 now. He gonna get 70-80 now. 🤜🐐

[@vl5545]

Selane doing it in rookie season is insane.

[@johnnyboy2653]

I remember that year I was a little kid and every morning I would wake up to watch sports center or whatever it was back then just to watch Selanne and Mogilny's highlights.

[@ovechkin100]

that 65 geno year from Ovechkin is absolutely BONKERS

[@stevemmmm1341]

awesome

[@SirGalahadCtny]

0:02 Aaaand... Jagr had played with or against 38,6% of all those. Now I let that sink into your mind...

[@vangelis7]

52 goals in 55 games. 77.5 goal pace - Feb 23

[@user-ib9nv6yl4d]

And Marner and Willi Styles also are key for feeding him sick passes…..

[@Bread-Loaf-VR]

I love leaf content pls make more

[@YzerWings]

I think the removal of the two-line pass has a lot to do with it

[@randoir1863]

50 in 50 will always be my measuring stick.

[@CunuckHockey]

To be fair, he has technically achieved that when he got 51 in 50 games. It's just that it was split over 2 seasons so it's not a traditional "50 in 50"

[@StuMarston]

He's gone from needing 30 goals in the remaining 35 games to now needing 22 in 29 games. He's quickly gone from maybe to probably.

[@nadionmediagroup]

Update: Matthew’s is at 49 goals. 19 feb 2024. He’s gonna get there. He needs 21, and schedule says 29 game

[@caitlincaitlin4703]

hull would had more if oates didn't get greedy.

[@5plus4]

On pace for 76 now

[@mhockey33]

First time in the post-NHL 94 Era

[@BrandonHilikus]

17 goals needed. 23 games left

[@moosartti]

That pic really fucked up my eyes so hard i had to look away lmao.

[@dannymuskardin9482]

I'm not a Leafs fan, but its hard not to get excited watching Matthews play... as long as its not against my favorite team.

[@D-A-N-]

Who’s that

[@leboeufmuetdesicile5217]

I think he can. He's amazing. This is comming from a very jealous Habs fan.

[@tylerjohnson8973]

And ppl think this guy isn't the best pure goal scorer we've seen since rookie ovechkin? This is legit hall of famer and maybe the greatest leaf player ever

[@kentmaxwell3377]

Yes

[@theguywithone]

And Mario never played or dressed for one full season in his entire career. Between cancer treatment and injuries and other issues. His last time was severely impacted. He is one of the best to ever play the game and I think he would've put up a lot more numbers had he not gotten sick.

[@waynethera2712]

Definitely skilled, definitely soft.

[@michigan_made4900]

Chasing a second round playoff exit as well.

[@Swamp_gas12]

I thought it was going to be last time the Leafs won the cup... or at least made it out of the first round of the playoffs

[@DavidDolus]

Im Mathhews big fan but I do not think he will score more than 70. He is already on pace to score less. Around 68 rn. Id say 64-66 is realistic for him which is still very formidable.

[@DavidDolus]

@@AbolishCommunism On pace is a stupid metric that is pure if.

[@juliendeane2444]

idk he just got a hattrick last night

[@malcolmclayton6651]

Mat requires the ice time to successfully win the championship .

[@peopletalking1953]

Gretzky will always be the best ever

[@jazzmyn5804]

Damn, he finished with 69 goals in 81 games

[@CunuckHockey]

So close, yet so far 😢

[@rona6063]

1 goal in 5 games. Its over.

[@DentedDiamond]

Just a little revision on Mario Lemieux's stats. He did it in 60 games, not 70... 69 goals in 60 games. Just to put the record straight!

[@CunuckHockey]

You're absolutely right, great catch. That's just absurd. He had a legitimate chance to break Gretzky's record!

[@DentedDiamond]

I know, that is just too bad he was plagued with health issues for his entire career.😢

[@Rubbinz24]

*Fun Fact* He's gone 26 games without a goal this season. 🤷‍♂️ #🐐

[@s1acker6]

Misleading title... youre saything that No NHLer has chased 70 goals in 31 years?

[@vomitkermit3446]

Goals are also down because the goalies have gotten way better the last 20 years.

[@terryparenteau1200]

Nice to see from an american.The american players are getting better and better.

[@guru2899]

If he can't bring a cup to Toronto, then it means absolutely NOTHING.

[@finhula]

Hahahahaha not naming literally the best player in history Jaromír Jágr

[@canadianpoker83]

I’d say 20% chance at 70, 80% chance at 60 goals and a 98% chance at 50. This is assuming he’s healthy and plays all of the Leafs remaining games.

[@CunuckHockey]

Yeah this is kind of what I have in my mind as well! It’s still a long shot, but to even be in the conversation for 70 this far into the season is impressive

[@Jakeanbake69]

All these guys that scored 70 plus goals when the skill of goalies weren't what they are compared to goalies now a days

[@hael929]

you forgot Crosby had 32 goals in 41 games 2010-11 but then suffered his first concussion.

[@shelroda9089]

Prime Sid was out of this world. The best player we’ve ever seen and ever will. Sucks we missed out on alot of games

[@warriorofthewest3340]

41gls in 47 games now.

[@jledesmaf1]

99, the greatest scorer ever in the NHL and the history of hockey. Can’t believe people calling Ovi the greatest score in NHL if he breaks career regular season record (Will take him more games to do it!!) No one will surpass 99 as the greatest goal scorer. Don’t give me crap about era.

[@user-kd5rz5fh7v]

The NHL Wants Matthews to be the man SO BAD. They know he'll never get the points lead or a cup....but maybe they can get him most goals one year.

[@ethancorner16]

I think he can and hope he does. But that being said all leafs fans won't care if nothing happens in the playoffs

[@giantfactory]

30 year curse? I think “drought” would be a more apt description.

[@CunuckHockey]

Yep you're definitely right

[@nickgappmayer5939]

He’s one goal away now ha

[@garyclarke9557]

49 goals

[@canbest7668]

Should really make this just about forwards and exclude defensemen and goalies.

[@CunuckHockey]

The 7635 players is all forwards + defensemen, excluding goalies. And I didn't think it was necessarily fair to exclude defensemen considering we've had d-men score 40+ goals in the past (Orr and Coffey for example).

[@canbest7668]

@@CunuckHockey Thanks for responding. As scoring over 40 as a defenseman is very rare I still think it should focus just on forwards. Regardless, great video! Nice chatting!

[@CunuckHockey]

Fair enough! If you’re curious, there’s only been 5136 forwards that have ever played. So 8 out of 5136 = 0.16% of all forwards in history have ever put up 70 or more goals. And thank you for the support! Glad you enjoyed the video

[@canbest7668]

@@CunuckHockey Wow! Thanks for this!

[@erikm9768]

0:34 lol what is the goal keeper doing here? these old clips of plays look so unimpressive by today's standard it makes me wonder how well any of these would hold up in todays league

[@unbearablycringe]

As a Habs fan, I HATE the Leafs. As a hockey fan, I hope he scores 70

[@TheIndecisive0]

'Literal' cancer treatment? Why not just say cancer treatment?

[@TalkingPork]

idk man my nhl 23 bap scored 300 goals in his rookie season

[@CunuckHockey]

You’re built different my guy 😂

[@Joanne-ml2xy]

The only record I care about is winning the cup after so many years

[@thomasmuller546]

main takeaway: Auston Matthews is a decent player.

[@VicLaranja]

Great video but that music made me want to rip my ears off

[@coldcanadian1138]

Hold up . He not there yet

[@QenaitheCustodianGuard]

Hull was an unreal scorer. What do you mean "Matthews had a close call"? 41 ain't nowhere near 70 my man.

[@ILLUSI_O_N-V1]

in 52 games, he was on pace for 65, it literally says in the chart

[@QenaitheCustodianGuard]

@@ILLUSI_O_N-V1 on pace has nothing to do with actual scoring. They should have said "close on paper" or something similar. They said this in a context of 70 goals SCORED, orwellian language. If this is how we count nowadays I was close to benching 250 yesterday.

[@richc4388]

"Literal" cancer treatment... I doubt anyone would have misconstrued it as figurative.

[@CunuckHockey]

Lmao fair point 😂 I’m def guilty of overusing the term literally when it’s not needed

[@richc4388]

@@CunuckHockey LOL all good brother

[@johnl2613]

Really this means nothing to him if he doesn't win a cup.

[@wuhaninstituteofvirology]

but who will ever score 100 goals in a season ?

[@darkiplire]

OI! As a Leafs fan may I be the first to say. YOU FUCKING JINX! "Desperately needs a injury free end of the season" YOU GOD DAMN JINX he better not get injured or Imma blame you! YOU NEVER say something like that. 🤦🤦

[@Stephen_Loves_You]

92-93 was when the last Canadian team won a cup.. i bet Vancouver wins this year.. 93-94 cup rematch ny fckn Rangers

[@CunuckHockey]

I hope so pal 🤞

[@rodbottomley4514]

Want more goals? Take the Goalies out.

[@Mornomgir]

There is one blatant lie here. The 1990s was indeed 10 years ago.

[@YzerWings]

Steve Yzerman scored 60 twice. Show some respect! Booo

[@Pablo-gl9dj]

You just did

[@dwaynekinsland2892]

Promo>SM 💔

[@curlyb]

Watch the goalies back when guys were scoring 70 a year hahahahahahahahahahahaha I know it's relative but still they were so, so bad.

[@khofilms]

Matts will hit 74 this year. The Leafs will line him up nicely too ;) Let's GO!

[@lakessbm]

Please stop jinxing it

[@DanRitchie-ci8iw]

I would rather he not be #46 in the NHL for +/- (The top Leaf currently) and maybe focus on the team winning over him getting a record. When The Great One did it he also lead the lead in assists and his team was winning. I think its great for him and I wont take that away, its an amazing season.... but 1 person cant play the entire game and the Leafs will likely struggle to make the playoffs. He is getting goals but the leafs still aren't winning. Is the goal to make Austin reach his goals rather than the team winning? I think so, that was the message sent with the teams top 5 paid players.