Milestone in the NHL

60th goal of the season for Toronto forward Auston Matthews

Milestone for Auston Matthews(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Auston Matthews has reached a rare milestone in the North American Ice Hockey League (NHL). The Toronto Maple Leafs forward scored his 60th goal of the season in a 3-0 away win at the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. The 26-year-old had also reached that mark in 2021-22 and is now the ninth player in NHL history to reach 60 goals in a season at least twice.

"We want 60", chanted the fans in Buffalo during the game. They were answered in the 55th minute. "It was impossible not to hear that," said Matthews, who also sees his haul as a team success. "It's as much a team effort as a personal one," explained the forward, who is the only US-born player in NHL history to have 60 goals this season.

Among active players, he is the only one to have achieved this twice. Alexander Ovechkin (2007/08), Connor McDavid (2022/23), David Pastrnak (2022/23) and Steven Stamkos (2011/12) have each achieved this once. The record for 60-goal seasons is held by Mike Bossy and Wayne Gretzky with five each.