Matthews became the fifth player in Maple Leafs history to score 300 career goals.

Auston Matthews' 2023-24 is already off to a good start.

The Toronto Maple Leafs star scored his team's second goal of the game in the second period to tie the game 2-2 to record his 300th NHL tally.

Matthews became the fastest U.S.-born player to score 300 goals, accomplishing the feat in his 482nd game, smashing the previous record set by Pat Lafontaine at 549 games.

The Arizona native is the fifth player to score 300 goals as a Maple Leaf. 

The 26-year-old's night wasn't finished after tying the game. 

With his team down 5-3, Matthews scored his 301st and 302nd NHL goals to force overtime where the Maple Leafs eventually won the game 6-5 via a shootout.

"That's what you need from your best people at times," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Matthews' performance. "When it's looking dire, and it's kind of slipping away, you need that."

Matthews is coming off a down season. The Hart Trophy winner for the 2021-22 season, he scored just 40 goals last season after scoring 60 the season before.

On Wednesday, Matthews scored in a season opener for the first time since scoring two goals against the Ottawa Senators in 2019.

With 300 goals in 482 regular season games, Matthews is scoring at a rate of 0.62 goals per game.

Related

Report: Maple Leafs to Change Goal Song Beginning with Regular Season Opener Against Canadiens

Why the Maple Leafs Called Up Simon Benoit After Bobby McMann Clears Waivers

Report: TikTok No Longer Maple Leafs Helmet Sponsor

News from THN.com

New Jersey Devils Could Find Slim Pickings in the Goalie Trade Market

Screen Shots: Dallas Stars, Hockey Canada and Martin Jones

New Quebec Senior Hockey Team Shows Grassroots Passion for Sport in Province