Two of the top goal-scorers in the world right now play for Toronto: the Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews and PWHL Toronto's Natalie Spooner.
Almost 90 years ago, Charlie Conacher and Bill Thoms of the Toronto Maple Leafs shared the lead in NHL goals with 23 each. That was the last time The Center of the Hockey Universe™ had the two best goal-scorers in the world – until this season.
With his hat trick in the Maple Leafs’ 4-3 overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday night, Matthews just might have put the race for the Rocket Richard Trophy out of reach. The guy is on pace for 71 goals this season. But what you might not know is how dominant a scorer Natalie Spooner has been for PWHL Toronto this season. She had a hat trick of her own Wednesday night in Toronto’s win over Boston and now sits at 10 goals in 10 games to lead the league.
For Matthews, we’re getting used to seeing this kind of production. A certain colleague who will remain nameless said in the press box in the second period that Matthews and linemate Mitch Marner were having a quiet night, and then Matthews responded with three bombs to the glove side of Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson.
“I thought Auston was the catalyst for us,” said Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe, “not only putting pucks in the net but the way he competed for pucks. I thought he was a beast for us in the second period for getting us going and setting an example.”
It will be interesting whether Spooner will be able to duplicate Matthews’ efforts Friday night in front of another sold-out crowd at Scotiabank Arena when PWHL Toronto hosts PWHL Montreal.
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