First natural hattie of NHL career Matthews scored three goals in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Flyers. Impact It was his fifth hat trick this season. Matthews scored three straight goals in 7:49 in the second period. He tied the game 1-1 with a wrist shot past Samuel Ersson's glove from the top of the left circle and quickly made it 2-1 when he one-timed a pass from Mitchell Marner at the right face-off dot while on the power play. Matthews completed his first natural hat trick late in the frame when he went high glove side through a screen. He's tied with three other Maple Leafs, including Darryl Sittler, for the team's best and most productive snipers. And Matthews is one of only three players in the past 30 years to record at least five hat tricks in a season, joining Jonathan Cheechoo (five in 2005-06) and Mario Lemieux (six in 1995-96).
FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE