When it comes to debuts, it will be tough for anyone to top what Toronto Maple Leafs rookie center Auston Matthews did Wednesday night at Canadian Tire Centre.
Matthews set a new NHL record with not one, not two, not three, but four (!) goals in a debut for the ages.
All three of the the No. 1 pick’s in the 2016 NHL Draft’s first three shots against the Ottawa Senators found the back of the net, as he became the fourth player in the modern era to score a hat trick in his debut.
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He later added a fourth goal with just a few seconds remaining in the second period — yes, all four goals came in the first 40 minutes.
Auston Matthews becomes first player ever with 4 goals in NHL debut pic.twitter.com/J4priRbpAY
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) October 13, 2016
Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, Matthews couldn’t net a fifth goal in the 5-4 overtime loss.
Thumbnail photo via Marc DesRosiers/USA TODAY Sports Images
