We know Auston Matthews scores at a ridiculous rate, but these numbers are astounding

Debuting in October of 2016, Matthews burst onto the scene scoring 4 goals in his first game as a Leaf against the Sens. A sign of things to come as he went on to score 36 more giving him 40 in his rookie season. Since entering the league that season, Matthews has scored 259 goals, 46 behind Ovechkin's 305 in the same time, not mind-blowing, but its not the number of goals he's scored - it's in how few games he's scored them. Matthews has played just 407 games in his 6 years in the league, only playing all 82 games once in his rookie season while Ovechkin has played 514, Draisaitl has played 521 and McDavid has played 487. Draisaitl ranks third in goals since 2016, closely behind Matthews at 252, followed by McDavid at 239.

However, if we break the numbers down and look at goals per game since Matthews entered the league, he is scoring at a better pace than even Ovechkin, who is currently chasing Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal scoring record. Matthews is scoring at a 0.64 goals per game pace while Ovechkin is scoring at 0.60 goals per game. Not only is Matthews outscoring Ovechkin, but in goals per game, he blows McDavid and Draisaitl out of the water as they are only scoring at 0.49 and 0.48 goals per game.

Tell me again how Draisaitl is a better goal scorer, Oilers fans, I'll wait. While I'm waiting I'll tell you that Matthews is in a world of his own when it comes to goals per 60 minutes, averaging 1.96. Almost 2 goals a game essentially, which is preposterous in today's NHL. For some context, Ovechkin is only scoring 1.77 goals per 60 minutes. Oh and McDavid and Draisaitl, they're well outside the top 10 in this category scoring 1.36 and 1.39 goals per 60. The craziest thing about it is that all 3 of the aforementioned players are power play merchants, while Matthews does most of his goal scoring at 5v5.

Matthews is by far the best goal scorer in the NHL and has been since he entered the league. The scary thing is that he's only getting better. Barring injury, he should have no problems securing a third straight Rocket Richard this season.