Auston Matthews became the first player in NHL history to score four goals in his regular-season debut.
Matthews made league history in less than 40 minutes, becoming the first player in the modern era to score four goals in his first NHL game as the Ottawa Senators handed Toronto a 5-4 overtime loss.
It’s really something you can’t write up,” Matthews said. “It was pretty special having my parents here and have them share the moment with me. [My mom] has been a huge part, along with my dad, of just helping me get here. I’m just happy they could come and share the moment with me.”
Mike Babcock quote:
“We’re all part of history tonight because we’re here obviously,” Babcock said. “Just for me, from my perspective since I’ve been the Leafs coach, that’s the best night I’ve had since I’ve been here by 10 miles. Not even close. Because now we have an opportunity.”
Other NHL Rookie Records:
- Most goals by a rookie, one season: Teemu Selanne, 76 (1992–93).
- Most goals by a player in his first NHL game: Auston Matthews (October 12, 2016) with 4.
- Most assists by a rookie, one season: Peter Stastny (1980–81) and Joe Juneau (1992–93) both with 70. (Wayne Gretzky had 86 assists (1979–80), but is not considered a rookie because of his single season when he was 17 in the WHA)
- Most assists by a player in his first NHL season, one game: Wayne Gretzky, 7 (Feb. 15, 1980)
- Most assists by a player in his first NHL game: Dutch Reibel (Oct. 8, 1953), Roland Eriksson (Oct. 6, 1977) both with 4.
- Most points by a rookie, one season: Teemu Selanne, 132 (1992–93). (Wayne Gretzky had 137 points (1979–80), but is not considered a rookie because of his single season when he was 17 in the WHA)
- Most points by a rookie, one playoffs: Dino Ciccarelli (1981) and Ville Leino (2010), both with 21.
- Most goals by a rookie, one playoffs: Dino Ciccarelli (1981), 14
- Most assists by a rookie, one playoffs: Ville Leino (2010), 14
- Most points by a player in his first NHL season, one game: Peter and Anton Stastny, 8 each (Feb. 22, 1981)
- Most points by a player in his first NHL game: Al Hill, 5 (Feb. 14, 1977)
- Most goals by a rookie defenceman, one season: Brian Leetch, 23 (1988–89)
- Most assists by a rookie defenceman, one season: Larry Murphy, 60 (1980–81)
- Most points by a rookie defenceman, one season: Larry Murphy, 76 (1980–81)
- Longest goal scoring streak to start a career (pre modern): Joe Malone, (1917–1918) 14 games.
- Longest goal scoring streak to start a career (modern): Evgeni Malkin, 2006–07, 6 games.
- Longest point streak by a rookie, one season: Paul Stastny (Feb 3 2007-Mar 17 2007) 20 games.
