Auston Matthews joined some elite company after scoring his 50th career goal

BarDown Staff

Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images

If any fans were worried about a second year slump for Auston Matthews, the 20-year-old has put those doubts to rest.

Thursday night, the Leafs lost 5-3 to the Kings, but Matthews continued his torrid start to the season with a goal and assist. The goal was Matthews' 10th of the season in 14 games and he has 18 points on the year.

Auston Matthews: 1G-1A tonight, is 1st player 20 or younger w/18+ pts in his team's first 14 gms of a season since 2010-11 (S. Stamkos- 24)
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) November 3, 2017

The goal against the Kings was also significant because Matthews became just the second player since 1994 to score his 50th career goal in 96 games.

#TMLTalk forward Auston Matthews is just the 2nd player (Alex Ovechkin) since 1994 to score his 50th career goal in 96 games or less. pic.twitter.com/samKt9bDqG
— Complete Hockey News (@CompleteHkyNews) November 3, 2017

Goals in first 96 games:
Ovechkin 62
Matthews 50
Crosby 45
Malkin 40
Stamkos 36
Toews 33
McDavid 33
Tavares 30
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) November 3, 2017

Matthews joined some elite company to say the least, and when you see the names he's ahead of over that first 96 games of a career span, it makes the accomplishment even more impressive.

Furthermore, the Leafs superstar is on pace for over 100 points this season and if he were to reach the mark, he'd be the first Leaf to do so since the 1993-94 season when Doug Gilmour racked up 111 points.

(H/T: /r/hockey)