Matthews scores 50th goal of the season, Leafs down Jets

TORONTO — Auston Matthews looked skyward after one missed chance. He leaned over on his stick following another close call.

The Toronto Maple Leafs sniper had plenty of good looks Thursday.

And as the game wore on, the sense of anticipation inside Scotiabank Arena rose each and every time Matthews – poised to become the first member of the organization to score 50 goals in nearly three decades – had the puck on his stick.

With his team up 5-3 late in the third period, the 24-year-old watched teammate David Kampf hit the post with Winnipeg goalie Eric Comrie on the bench for an extra attacker.

Matthews' shot at reaching the half-century mark in front of the home crowd was still alive.

He didn't miss with his final effort moments later.

Toronto's star attraction scored his NHL-topping 50th goal of the season into an empty net as the Leafs defeated the Jets 7-3 on a milestone night.

"I don't know if I ever really envisioned it being an empty-netter goal, but I'll take it," said Matthews, who made history with 2:06 left in regulation. "I had some good chances tonight, just didn't go in.

"Fortunately that last one did."

The No. 1 pick at the 2016 NHL draft, who also had an assist Thursday, is the first Leaf to bag 50 goals since Dave Andreychuk scored 53 in 1993-94. He's also just the fourth player in franchise history to do so, joining Rick Vaive (three times) and Gary Leeman.

Matthews accomplished the feat in a club-record 62 games. Next up will be Andreychuk's Toronto high-water mark for goals, while 60 isn't out of the question with 15 contests left on the schedule.

"Really special to be able to do it here in front of all the fans,” said Matthews, whose team hits the road for four straight starting Saturday in