Matthews scores hat trick, ties Vaive's single-season franchise goal record as Leafs dominate LightningAuston Matthews had three goals to tie the franchise single-season record for goals with 54, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 on Monday night.

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Toronto centre leads league with 54 goals

Mark Didtler · The Associated Press(Jason Behnken/The Associated Press)comments

Auston Matthews had three goals to tie the franchise single-season record for goals with 54, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 on Monday night.

Matthews, who also had an assist and extended his goal streak to six games. completed his seventh career hat trick — and fourth this season — from the slot to give Toronto a 5-2 lead at 7:08 of the third. The center equaled Rick Vaive's mark set in 1981-82.

"It's humbling, it means a lot," Matthews said.

• BOXSCORE: Maple Leafs 6, Lightning 2

Mitchell Marner had a goal and two assists, giving him 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) during a 10-game point streak. He also recorded his sixth straight multi-point game as the Maple Leafs took a two-point lead over Tampa Bay and Boston for second place in the Atlantic Division. Marner scored his goal at 11:24 of the third.

"This is a big game for us, obviously," Matthews, said. "They're a really good team, they know how to win, so it was an important game for us this point of the season. All these points count and really matter. I think it's just a really complete game by everybody."

WATCH l Matthews nets historic hat trick in Leafs' win over Lightning:

Matthews historic hat trick leads Leafs over Lightning

15 hours agoDuration 3:05Toronto's Auston Matthews hat trick ties legend Rick Vaive for single season goals by a Leaf at 54 in 6-2 win over Tampa Bay.More NHL coverage