Two compelling storylines dominated the Toronto Maple Leafs' pre-game atmosphere ahead of their Saturday night clash with the New York Islanders. The spotlight shone brightly on captain Auston Matthews, who stood on the cusp of franchise history, while defenceman Matt Benning prepared for a deeply personal milestone of his own.
Matthews on the Verge of Franchise History
Auston Matthews entered the game needing just a single goal to tie the legendary Mats Sundin for the Toronto Maple Leafs' all-time goal-scoring record of 420. The superstar centre set the stage for this historic moment with a hat-trick performance in a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, January 1, 2026. His offensive surge, bringing his season total to 18 goals, has been crucial in bolstering the Leafs' wildcard playoff position, especially with winger William Nylander sidelined for a fourth consecutive game due to a lower-body injury.
Remarkably, Matthews is poised to reach and potentially surpass Sundin's mark in just his 664th career game, a testament to his elite and consistent scoring prowess.
Benning's Long-Awaited Toronto Debut
The other major narrative centred on defenceman Matt Benning, who was slated to make his long-awaited debut for the Maple Leafs. Acquired from the San Jose Sharks in the October 2024 trade involving Timothy Liljegren, the 31-year-old blueliner had yet to suit up for Toronto. He spent the remainder of the 2024-25 season and the start of the current campaign with the AHL's Toronto Marlies.
Saturday morning's skate indicated Benning would finally get his chance, drawing into the lineup to replace Philippe Myers. With 464 games of NHL experience, Benning's promotion marks the culmination of a patient journey back to the league's highest level.
A Family Legacy Resumes After Four Decades
Benning's debut carries significant family history. He will bridge a 40-year gap since his uncle, Jim Benning, last patrolled the Maple Leafs' blueline. Jim was selected sixth overall by Toronto in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, playing over 300 games for the club before a 1986 trade sent him to the Vancouver Canucks. He later transitioned into a scouting and management career, serving as the Canucks' general manager from 2014 to 2021.
"We talked a little bit when I first got traded here last year, his experiences in Toronto and anything he could offer," Matt Benning told the Toronto Sun regarding conversations with his uncle. "He has a good hockey mind." Jim Benning was recently inducted into the Scouting Hall of Fame and is looking to return to hockey.
Matt, whose father Brian was also an NHL player, acknowledged the challenge of waiting his turn as other Marlies defencemen received call-ups. "It's exciting. I worked pretty hard to get back here," he stated. "It's the first experience for me spending that amount of time down in the American League but I got some confidence, played a lot of minutes and found my game again."
He added, "When the opportunity comes, I'll be excited, ready and very appreciative of it."
As the puck dropped on Long Island, the Maple Leafs' lineup featured a unique blend of immediate history in the making and a heartfelt, long-term dream finally realized.
