Three-time Stanley Cup Champion Coach Joel Quenneville Makes Astonishing Statement About Auston Matthews

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Graham Montgomery
February 23, 2024 (8:25 PM)

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Auston Matthews is scoring at a rate seldom seen in the NHL since the 1980s. Needless to say, he has been playing some incredibly entertaining hockey this year.

Matthews On Pace For Record-Smashing Season

Last night, the Leafs took down the Vegas Golden Knights in dominant fashion, leaving the home crowd thoroughly disappointed in the Knights after the 7-3 loss. It was none other than Auston Matthews who finished off the scoring as he redirected a pass from Pontus Holmberg into the net for the Leafs' 7th goal of the night.

The goal was his 52nd of the season in just 55 games. That puts him on pace not just for his personal best, but potentially a record best single-season goal total in the salary cap era.

Alex Ovechkin currently holds the record for most goals in a season in the salary cap era with 65.

Joel Quenneville Comments On How Good Matthews Really Is

The Leafs superstar is drawing all kinds of attention to himself this season thanks to that goal scoring. People from all over the hockey world have been commenting on it, including former NHL head coach Joel Quenneville. What he had to say about Matthews is exceptionally impressive considering coach Q's personality.

"He's fun to watch. I can remember when I was working with Don Granato in Chicago, who had him with the USNTDP... he used to say they used to beat teams pretty bad and Auston, by the third period, he used to have to tell Auston, 'okay, Auston, just take a little bit off here,' and instead of winning by 12 goals, maybe we win by 7 or 8. But he had a different level of ability. Domination might be part of it.

I love the way he shoots the puck, I like how he finds a way to get himself open. The puck follows him around as well. Wants the puck all the time. You know, he's an elite, elite player. You're talking about McDavid and himself, maybe one, two in the game... Certainly Auston is having an outstanding year.

He's got that knack [for scoring]. He's a great player."

Quenneville might not be correct about everything, but he is certainly right to say that Matthews can score goals. Few other players have ever been able to score as seemingly effortlessly as Matthews can. Be sure to stay tuned as Matthews continues his record-setting pace.

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