Auston Matthews Passes Player Of The Game Belt To Unlikely Hero

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James Connelly
October 15, 2023 (11:18)

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Auston Matthews netted his second hat trick of the season in the second game of the season but has shown his appreciation for an underrated Maple Leaf.

Matthews' Hot Start

In the first two games of the year, Auston Matthews has netted six goals by having two hat tricks in two games. The back-to-back hat trick is a rare feat in and of itself but to do it in the opening two nights is almost unheard of.

Per @PR_NHL: Auston Matthews is one of only five players in NHL history to record a hat trick in each of their first two games to start the season, joining Alex Ovechkin (2017-18), Cy Denneny (1917-18), Joe Malone (1917-18) and Reg Noble (1917-18).

Here are all of his goals from last night:

Auston Matthews finds open space and bangs one home in tight to tie it up at 1!

#LeafsForever

Auston Matthews and John Tavares team up for a power play tally, Leafs lead!

#LeafsForever

ANOTHER HAT TRICK FOR AUSTON MATTHEWS!

🎩🎩🎩

#LeafsForever

After the game, the logical choice for the game belt was Matthews but the 2022 MVP decided to hand the belt to a Maple Leaf that had an underrated game.

Matthews Hands The Belt To Reaves

Matthews expressed his gratitude for Ryan Reaves and his physicality by handing him the player of the game belt!

Auston Matthews passed the Leafs player-of-the-game belt to Ryan Reaves tonight

While Reaves did not have a hat trick, he certainly had a strong physical game by laying big hits and getting into a massive fight with his former teammate Marcus Foligno.

Marcus Foligno drops the gloves with Ryan Reaves following a hit on Frédérick Gaudreau. 🥊

Both players were integral in the Leafs' win over the Wild last night and are both a large part of why the Leafs are currently undefeated.

The pair will now shift their focus to Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks and look to take home their third victory in three games.