Auston Matthews Becomes Toronto Maple Leafs All-Time Leading Goal Scorer

Auston Matthews has officially become the leading goal-scorer in Toronto Maple Leafs history, surpassing Mats Sundin's long-standing record of 420 goals. Matthews achieved this milestone during a game against the New York Islanders on January 3, 2026, at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. He scored both the tying and record-breaking goals in the second period, reaching a total of 421 goals in just 664 games, which is 317 games faster than Sundin, who scored 420 goals in 981 games.

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Matthews' first goal of the night tied him with Sundin at 420 goals, coming at 9:30 of the second period. He entered the offensive zone, maneuvered past Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield, and slid the puck past goaltender David Rittich. Just 7:49 later, he broke the record with a one-timer set up by Bobby McMann, following a crucial play by Max Domi at the blue line. This performance marked Matthews' second consecutive multi-goal game, adding to his recent scoring surge, where he recorded six goals and ten points in his last four games.

Auston Matthews breaks Maple Leafs’ all-time goals record

Matthews, selected first overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Draft, has consistently been a top scorer in the league. He is a three-time winner of the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy and set the franchise record for goals in a single season with 69 during the 2023-24 season. His goals-per-game rate of 0.63 ranks him third all-time among players with at least 500 games, behind only Mike Bossy and Mario Lemieux.

New York Times

Mats Sundin, the previous record holder, congratulated Matthews through a video message, expressing pride in the accomplishment. “What a treat for all Maple Leaf fans around the world to have a player like yourself,” Sundin stated. Matthews acknowledged Sundin's impact on the franchise, saying, “I couldn’t think of anyone better to break my record.”

Sundin congratulates Matthews on breaking Maple Leafs goals record

Despite the historic achievement, some analysts note that Matthews is having a relatively slower season compared to his previous performances, with only 20 goals and 13 assists in 35 games. However, his recent form suggests a potential turnaround as he continues to improve.

Auston Matthews Breaks Maple Leafs’ All-Time Goals Record!

As Matthews continues to build on his legacy, he now sets his sights on Sundin's all-time points record of 987. With his current scoring pace, achieving this milestone will require sustained offensive output in the coming seasons.

Auston Matthews Breaks Maple Leafs’ All-Time Goals Record!

• “You're going to enjoy it more once your career is over.” — Mats Sundin, Hall of Famer

Maple Leafs' Matthews breaks Sundin's franchise goals record

• “It’s the speed he gets it off with, and the velocity with which it goes,” — John Tavares, Maple Leafs Forward

Matthews passes Sundin to become Maple Leafs' all-time leading goal-scorer

Matthews' record-breaking achievement not only cements his place in Maple Leafs history but also highlights his ongoing contributions to the team as they aim for future success.

USA Today