Auston Matthews is on the verge of something historic. With 398 career goals at just 27 years old, the Toronto Maple Leafs captain is inching closer to Alex Ovechkin’s legendary 895 goals, a mark many thought would never be touched.
Matthews has been setting the NHL on fire with his scoring ability, and his goal-per-game pace puts him in elite company. But could he really challenge Ovechkin’s throne as the greatest goal scorer of all time? While Ovechkin's milestone once seemed insurmountable, Matthews' relentless drive, combined with his ability to stay healthy and maintain consistency, suggests that the race for the top spot in NHL history may not be over just yet.
A Special Talent with a Shocking Potential
When asked about the possibility of breaking Ovechkin’s record, Matthews was humble, focusing on the present and the respect owed to Ovechkin’s incredible career. However, Matthews’ numbers don’t lie. With his incredible goal-scoring pace and commitment to being the best, the opportunity to chase down Ovechkin is real. Can Matthews maintain his current trajectory, or could his scoring even increase with age and experience?
The Road Ahead: What Matthews Needs to Break the Record
Matthews isn’t alone in the pursuit of greatness. Teammates like Mitch Marner could continue to provide the perfect setup for his goalscoring exploits. However, with each passing season, the pressure intensifies — both for Matthews to stay healthy and continue performing at this elite level and for the Leafs to keep their star player motivated. Could the possible departure of Marner in free agency change Matthews’ course?
With roughly a decade of playing time ahead and a possible 70 goals per season, Matthews might be able to catch up to Ovechkin's numbers as early as the 2036-37 season. If Matthews stays healthy, the path to becoming the NHL's greatest scorer is clear.
A Shot at Immortality
No player has seriously challenged Ovechkin’s record until now. Could Matthews be the one to finally knock him off his perch? As he continues to break milestones and achieve career highs, the hockey world will be watching to see if the Maple Leafs’ leader will one day hold the title of the greatest goal scorer the NHL has ever seen.
