Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has officially etched his name at the top of the franchise's record books, becoming the team's all-time leading goal scorer. The historic moment came on Saturday, January 3, 2026, during a game against the New York Islanders in Elmont, New York.
A Historic Night on Long Island
Matthews secured his place in Maple Leafs lore by scoring his 421st career goal, surpassing the legendary mark of 420 set by former captain Mats Sundin. The record-breaking goal was a one-timer at 17:19 of the second period, set up by a sequence from Max Domi and Bobby McMann. Earlier in the same game, Matthews had also scored on a breakaway against former teammate and Islanders goaltender David Rittich.
The achievement is made more remarkable by the pace at which Matthews reached it. He needed just 664 games to hit the 420-goal plateau, while Sundin required 981 games to set the previous record. Matthews debuted in the NHL in 2016 with a stunning four-goal performance against the Ottawa Senators, signaling the arrival of a generational talent.
On a Torrid Scoring Pace
The record-breaking performance caps an incredible hot streak for the Leafs' superstar. Matthews has amassed nine points in his last three games alone, including a hat trick in a 6-5 victory over the Winnipeg Jets just two days prior on Thursday. This surge in production comes after a mid-December game where Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid delivered a standout performance in Toronto, a moment that seemed to ignite Matthews' dominant form.
While Matthews now reigns supreme in goals, Sundin remains the franchise leader in total points with 967. Matthews currently sits in fifth place on that list with 760 points. From Stockholm, Sundin posted a congratulatory message to the new record-holder. Both icons have consistently emphasized that the ultimate goal remains ending the Maple Leafs' 58-year Stanley Cup drought, a priority that transcends individual records.
Where Matthews Stands in History
The record solidifies Matthews' status not only as a Maple Leafs great but also among the elite scorers for the NHL's Original Six franchises. The list of leading goal scorers for these historic teams includes legends like Gordie Howe (786 for Detroit), Bobby Hull (604 for Chicago), and Maurice Richard (544 for Montreal).
Here is a look at the updated top of the Maple Leafs' all-time goal and points lists:
Most Goals, Toronto Maple Leafs Career:
- Auston Matthews - 421
- Mats Sundin - 420
- Darryl Sittler - 389
- Dave Keon - 365
- Ron Ellis - 332
Most Points, Toronto Maple Leafs Career:
- Mats Sundin - 967
- Darryl Sittler - 916
- Dave Keon - 858
- Borje Salming - 768
- Auston Matthews - 760
The record-breaking goal was celebrated by teammates on the ice and fans across Leafs Nation, marking a new chapter for a franchise rich in history. As the team posted on social media, Matthews has gone "From 13 to 34"—referencing his jersey number—and now to the pinnacle of Toronto Maple Leafs goal scoring.
