It's been over 30 years since a player in the NHL has lit the lamp at least 70 times in a season. Auston Matthews is trying to change that in 2024.
Since the Maple Leafs star entered the league in 2016-17, he has been a lethal sniper capable of terrorizing goalies from all angles. Matthews has potted at least 30 goals in every season and has reached 60 goals twice, including this year.
With how the game of hockey has evolved since the turn of the century, the league just simply does not see 70-goal scorers anymore. Alex Ovechkin, the greatest scorer of this generation, came close, but his 2007-08 campaign ended at 65 tallies.
If there was going to be a skater capable of finding twine at least 70 times in a season, it's Matthews. He has a chance to do something that only eight players in the history have accomplished, including legends of the sport such as Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Brett Hull.
Here is a look at the most goals in NHL history and how close Matthews is to etching his name in the history books.
MORE: Tracking Auston Matthews' chase for 70 goals in 2024
Most goals in an NHL season
The most goals scored in a single season in NHL history is a record that belongs to none other than The Great One himself — Wayne Gretzky.
The four-time Stanley Cup champion is first place on the single-season scoring list with his 92 goals in the 1981-82 season. He's the only player to hit at least 90 goals in a single season.
Gretzky also owns the record for the second-most tallies in a season, potting 87 in the 1983-83 campaign.
In total, there have been 14 instances where a player hit 70 goals. Gretzky did it four times, Brett Hull accomplished it three times and Mario Lemieux scored at least 70 goals twice.
| Rank | Player | Team | Season | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | Wayne Gretzky | Edmonton Oilers | 1981-82 | 92 |
| No. 2 | Wayne Gretzky | Edmonton Oilers | 1983-84 | 87 |
| No. 3 | Brett Hull | St. Louis Blues | 1990-91 | 86 |
| No. 4 | Mario Lemieux | Pittsburgh Penguins | 1988-89 | 85 |
| No. 5 | Phil Esposito | Boston Bruins | 1970-71 | 76 |
| Alexander Mogilny | Buffalo Sabres | 1992-93 | 76 | |
| Teemu Selanne | Winnipeg Jets | 1992-93 | 76 | |
| No. 8 | Wayne Gretzky | Edmonton Oilers | 1984-85 | 73 |
| No. 9 | Brett Hull | St. Louis Blues | 1989-90 | 72 |
| No. 10 | Jari Kurri | Edmonton Oilers | 1984-85 | 71 |
| Wayne Gretzky | Edmonton Oilers | 1982-83 | 71 | |
| No. 12 | Brett Hull | St. Louis Blues | 1991-92 | 70 |
| Bernie Nichols | Los Angeles Kings | 1988-89 | 70 | |
| Mario Lemieux | Pittsburgh Penguins | 1987-88 | 70 |
How many goals does Auston Matthews have?
Matthews is up to 69 goals in 78 games during the 2023-24 season through April 12.
That means the Toronto center is averaging 0.87 goals per game this season, an elite clip for any player.
In his career, Matthews has scored 368 goals in 560 games.
Last 70-goal season in the NHL
It's been over 30 years now since a player lit the lamp 70 times in one season. The last time that achievement occurred was during the 1992-93 season, when not one, but two players hit 70 goals.
Both Teemu Selanne of the Jets and Alexander Mogilny of the Sabres hit the 70-goal threshold, as each potted 76 tucks that year.
No player has come close to 70 since then. The closest was Ovechkin in the 2007-08 season when he recorded 65 goals. But Matthews is closing in on the 70-goal mark and would join elite NHL company if he pulls it off.