Auston Matthews' achievement of becoming the all-time goals leader for the Toronto Maple Leafs took a heartwarming turn when Mats Sundin, the legendary former captain, made a special trip from Sweden to celebrate this milestone.
On Saturday, Matthews surpassed Sundin’s record by scoring two goals in a game against the New York Islanders. He then added another goal, with Sundin present to witness it during the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 victory over the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night.
Before the game commenced, a ceremony was held to honor Matthews, which was particularly poignant as it followed a tribute to the late Bob Pulford, a four-time Stanley Cup champion with the Maple Leafs, who had recently passed away at the age of 89.
“It all means so much to me,” Matthews, now 28, expressed with genuine emotion. “Wearing this jersey is incredibly special; it’s an absolute privilege. Having Mats here and recognizing the legacy of so many great players who wore this jersey before me makes this moment even more significant, and I’m truly grateful.”
Mats Sundin, a Hockey Hall of Famer, amassed 420 goals in 981 games during his time with the Maple Leafs, while Matthews achieved his 422nd goal in just 665 games. “I thought it might take him a few more years to reach this point, but he’s an exceptional goal scorer,” Sundin remarked with a smile. "In all seriousness, records are meant to be broken. It’s a delight for the Maple Leafs fan base to witness a superstar like Auston, who stands out as one of the best in the league and is an even better person.
“He’s an outstanding leader, especially considering the challenges of playing in the demanding hockey market of Toronto. He represents the Maple Leafs with such grace, and I couldn’t be happier for him.”
Scott Laughton, a fourth-line center for Toronto who played a crucial role in the last moments of the game against Florida, fondly recalled his admiration for the team’s alumni. "Meeting legends like Sundin is always thrilling. It’s wonderful to see them on the ice and engage with them. They embody what this organization stands for, and that connection is truly special," Laughton said.
This matchup marked the Panthers' return to Toronto since they triumphed over the Maple Leafs with a 6-1 victory in Game 7 of the playoffs last May. Notably, the Maple Leafs have now won both encounters with Florida this season.
Toronto's head coach, Craig Berube, acknowledged the rivalry that has developed due to their playoff history. "Games against teams like Florida, especially after facing them in the playoffs, create intense rivalries," he noted. "The same goes for when Ottawa visited us on December 27. We anticipate these games to be competitive and intense.
“We understand that to compete against Florida, we must match their physical style of play, as we know how aggressive they can be throughout the game.”
Interestingly, Brad Marchand, known for his tenacity, did not participate in the third period due to precautionary measures, despite appearing to move around comfortably post-game. Earlier that day, he disclosed that he had considered signing with the Maple Leafs as a free agent last summer, stating, "It really came down to a choice between Florida and Toronto. I honestly didn’t think re-signing with Florida was an option at that time."
This report was originally published by The Canadian Press on January 7, 2026.
