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Auston Matthews did not score a goal in the Leafs' final game of the season vs Tampa Bay Lightning. Matthews was on a hunt to score 70 goals in the 2023-24 NHL Regular season, but after the goal-less final game, he has ended his campaign with 69 goals.
The Maple Leafs lost 6-4 to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the game did not matter much for both teams as there Round 1 Stanley Cup playoff opponents have already been decided.
The Leafs will be taking on the Boston Bruins, and the Lightning will be facing off against their state rivals in Florida Panthers.
Auston Matthews had an opportunity to become the first 70-goal scorer since Teemu Selanne and Alexander Mogilny, Both Selanne and Mogilny had previously achieved the feat in the 1992-93 season.
Auston Matthews will end the regular season as the top goal scorer with 69 goals. He is followed by Panthers' Sam Reinhart (57), Oilers' Zach Hyman* (54), Avs' Nathan MacKinnon* (51) and Rangers' Artemi Panarin (49) as the other highest goal scorers in this regular season.
* - Active count with one game left in the season
Auston Matthews reflects on not reaching historic 70-goal milestone
Auston Matthews came up just short in his pursuit of 70 goals this season, finishing with 69 tallies after being held scoreless in the Toronto Maple Leafs' final two games. While Matthews admitted he wanted to hit the elusive mark, he kept things in perspective and emphasized the team's overall success as the priority.
"I wanted it, for sure, but it just wasn't meant to be. The most important thing is the team and the team's success, making sure I'm pulling my weight as a leader on this team and help the team win. That's where my focus is at," Matthews said post-game.
Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe praised Matthews' overall play down the stretch while chasing history.
"He's played so tremendously well. I know there's been a lot of focus on him reaching 70 goals; you kind of lose sight of how well he's played... The way he's played these last two games -- give him those types of chances and those types of shots, and he could have had 75. It wasn't meant to be, and that's OK -- 69 is an unbelievable season," Keefe remarked.
Matthews and the Leafs are currently turning their attention to the playoffs gearing up to take on the Boston Bruins in the first round that kicks off this Saturday.
