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With the NHL in the offseason, hockey fans have been looking back at last season. One of the more memorable plays was Toronto Maple Leafs star player Auston Matthews recording a hat trick against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Matthews scored three goals in less than 10 minutes of game time in the second period. Hat tricks don't happen often — hat tricks in the same period, let alone in just 10 minutes, are nearly unheard of.
"This got me hyped for the season," a fan wrote.
"joe makes it so much better too," a fan added.
Matthews is one of the top goal scorers in the NHL, and he proved that in the game against the Flyers.
"Lily was havin a game , nice play at the blueline," a fan wrote.
"Hopefully the leafs will have a great season this year," a fan added.
It was a great performance from Matthews, and the highlight coming back up has fans excited for the upcoming season.
"Matthews likely hits about 66 goals and 115-120 points. Hart trophy caliber season i think. could hit 70 this year and 120 points. I don’t think he regresses especially with how serious he’s looked this offseason," a fan added.
"Matthews still Hitting 55+," a fan wrote.
Matthews finished the 2023-24 NHL season with 69 goals in 81 games. However, despite the center having another dominant year, the Maple Leafs were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Boston Bruins.
Auston Matthews named captain of the Maple Leafs
In the offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced John Tavares gave up his captaincy and Auston Matthews was named the captain.
Matthews is the face of the franchise after being drafted first overall in the 2016 NHL draft. Matthews said he was honored to be named captain and is excited to try to win the Stanley Cup with Toronto.
"I got chills, honestly," Matthews said, via NHL.com. "I'm so honored and humbled since being drafted here eight years ago. You realize how special it is to play for the city of Toronto, to wear the Maple Leaf on your chest every single night. It just means the world to do that.
"To have the support from Johnny, my teammates, our staff, ownership, my family, it just means the world to me. I look forward to continuing our journey to obviously get to the top of the mountain and win the Stanley Cup and bring it back to Toronto."
The Maple Leafs will open the 2024-25 NHL season on the road on Oct. 9 against the Montreal Canadiens.
