By The Numbers: Matthews one goal from elusive 50 for Maple Leafs

Auston Matthews is one goal away from becoming just the fourth player in Toronto Maple Leafs history to score 50 goals in a season. 

It's been more than 25 years since a player last accomplished the feat in the blue and white, but Matthews is back within reach after two pandemic-shortened seasons. 

Matthews was on pace to top the 50-goal mark in 2019-20, with 47 goals in 70 games before the final 12 games of the season were cancelled. The 24-year-old also scored 41 goals in 52 games during last year's shortened campaign en route to winning the Rocket Richard Trophy.

Now, Matthews will join Rick Vaive, Gary Leeman and Dave Andreychuk in Maple Leafs history upon finding the back of the net one more time this season and he will have a chance to do so on home ice Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets.

Matthews is no stranger to scoring against the Jets with nine goals and 13 points in 18 career games - and five goals in his last five home games against them. 

Viewers in the Maple Leafs and Jets regions can watch the game LIVE ON TSN4 and TSN3 at 7pm et/6pm ct.   

While 51 goals has been enough to clinch the Rocket Richard Trophy in each of the past four 82-game seasons, the race appears appears to be far from finished this season with Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl also sitting on 49 goals and Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers also within striking distance.

Matthews, who has played in seven fewer games than Draisaitl this season, would appear to have the advantage, though, with 16 games left in the Maple Leafs' season compared to 14 for the Oilers.  

Averaging a goal in four out of every five games this season, Matthews is on pace to become the first player since Steven Stamkos in 2012  - and just the third player