Toronto’s Auston Matthews scores while falling down (Video)

Auston Matthews paid tribute to Alex Ovechkin by scoring a goal while falling down. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been the butt of many jokes over the years. However, it seems they hit the jackpot with Auston Matthews. He has led an impressive crop of rookies who have the Maple Leafs in contention for a playoff spot.

Matthews has done so by being one of the NHL’s top stars. He’s scored some impressive goals this season, but you’re likely not going to see one more impressive than this one against the Carolina Hurricanes. Perhaps paying tribute to Alex Ovechkin, Matthews scored while falling down. And made it look way too easy.

Here’s Ovechkin’s infamous goal against the Arizona Coyotes. It even left the Great One Wayne Gretzky speechless.

Not quite as impressive as The Great Eight’s, but to be fair, that’s a pretty high bar to match. Matthews comes darn close. Much like Ovechkin, he’s such a strong skater, bringing him down is difficult if he gets to full speed. Matthews shows remarkable puck control and a relentless desire to score. How he managed to keep the puck during the entire sequence is outstanding.

That’s Matthews’ 28th goal of the season. He leads all rookies in goals. For many years, the Maple Leafs have missed having a franchise center. They arguably haven’t had one since the days of Mats Sundin. Matthews is helping Toronto remember what it’s like to have a winning team. For a team that hasn’t won the Stanley Cup in nearly 50 years, that’s very important.

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There’s nothing the Hurricanes can really do about it. Just shake your head in amazement and try to stop Matthews next time. Cam Ward’s allowed a lot of goals over the years, but he’s never allowed one quite like this one.