Twitter explodes as Auston Matthews arrives in style
It didn't take long for Auston Matthews to become the talk of the hockey world.
Related: Matthews completes hat trick in debut
After the Toronto Maple Leafs rookie scored his first goal off a scramble in front, Matthews put his skilled hands and legs on display, dummying two Ottawa Senators in the neutral zone before stripping Erik Karlsson of the puck and scoring his second career goal on only his sixth shift.
Matthews, the first overall pick, completed his hat trick 1:25 into the second period. Three goals on three shots. He added a fourth goal late in the second period, becoming the first player in NHL history to score four in his debut.
Twitter, of course, lost its damn mind. Here's the best reactions:
Leafs fans will be excited to note Auston Matthews is at 67% possession tonight.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) October 13, 2016
4 goals on 6 shots for Matthews. Only winning 57% of his face offs though, just THIRD best for #Leafs tonight. So. He needs to step it up.
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) October 13, 2016
But can Auston Matthews pass the puck?
— Dave Hodge - TSN (@TSNDaveHodge) October 13, 2016
Cmon @AM34 it's not supposed to be this easy...
— Joe Colborne (@Joe_Colborne) October 13, 2016
Not a bad first period for Auston Matthews 😳😳#wow
— jason demers (@jasondemers5) October 12, 2016
Austin Matthews might have more career NHL goals than me before the night is over .....
— Tom Sestito (@TomSestito23) October 12, 2016
AUSTON MATTHEWS BREAKS SELANNE'S ROOKIE GOAL RECORD
— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) October 13, 2016
(also Blue Jays win World Series but whatever)
- Toronto newspapers in a few weeks
Three shots, three goals for Auston Matthews. I mean, really?
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) October 13, 2016
Insanity.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 13, 2016
Oh yes they are chanting Auston Matthews' name in Ottawa
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) October 13, 2016
It's raining hats in Ottawa. Matthews with the hat trick.
— Christine Simpson (@SNChrisSimpson) October 13, 2016
Auston Matthews 3, Senators 2.
— David Alter (@dalter) October 13, 2016
So Auston Matthews will finish the season with 300 goals. Fine.
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) October 12, 2016
That play began on hellacious forechecking in the neutral zone. Wow.
— Adam Proteau (@Proteautype) October 12, 2016
Matthews for Hart.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) October 12, 2016
Holy mama, Auston Matthews undresses Erik Karlsson and then beats Anderson inside the post. Um, yeah.
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) October 12, 2016
Matthews with the goal of the year. #GoLeafsGo
— Dan Chen (@DanCJAY92) October 12, 2016
He just undressed a 2x Norris winner and scored his second goal less than 15 minutes into his debut. I mean, come on.
— Conor McKenna (@mckennaconor) October 12, 2016
Pretty cool how Auston Matthews won the Calder and cost Erik Karlsson the Norris on the same play. #NHL #NHLFaceoff
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) October 12, 2016
Auston Matthews? More like Awesome Matthews.
— Neil Greenberg (@ngreenberg) October 12, 2016
Auston Matthews: making America great again
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) October 12, 2016