On The Leafs Nation’s Leafs Morning Take podcast, NHL analyst Nick Alberga declared Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews the best goal scorer currently in the league, sparking fresh debate in the Alex Ovechkin goal scoring debate. Alberga highlighted Matthews’ remarkable 69-goal season as evidence of his unmatched scoring ability.

Alberga emphasized that no other player scores with the same level of precision and consistency as Matthews during his peak. His comments drew a clear contrast with other top scorers, notably Leon Draisaitl and Alex Ovechkin.

Alberga’s View on Matthews’ Scoring Prowess

Alberga pointed to Matthews’ impressive rookie season, noting his ability to frequently score multiple goals per game. He recalled betting on Matthews to net more than one goal on numerous occasions, citing Matthews’ four-goal debut and a 33-goal rookie season.

“Edward Lee in the chat told me that Draisaitl’s the best goal scorer on the planet. He’s not; I’m sorry to break it to you, it’s Auston Matthews. … He is the best goal scorer, pound for pound. It’s not even close … no, it’s not.”

—Nick Alberga, NHL Analyst

While acknowledging Draisaitl’s talent, Alberga asserted that current league scoring simply does not measure up to Matthews’ style and output. He extended this comparison to Ovechkin, who, despite an illustrious career, was deemed by Alberga as not scoring “like Auston Matthews.”

“Draisaitl is a great goal scorer, don’t get me wrong, but there is nobody who scores like Auston Matthews in this league right now, not even the great Alex Ovechkin.” Alberga said.

—Nick Alberga, NHL Analyst

Ovechkin, however, remains a monumental figure, having scored 897 career goals and surpassing Wayne Gretzky in April to become the league’s highest all-time goal scorer.

Playoff Performance: The Crucial Factor

Co-host Jay Rosehill added a more cautious perspective, stressing Matthews’ need to prove himself in high-pressure playoff moments. Rosehill pointed out that Draisaitl has demonstrated clutch performance throughout the playoffs, including vital goals in overtime situations.

“I need him (Matthews) to do it at crunch time (playoffs),” Rosehill said. “I need him to do it on command when it’s tough. I need him to do it in the playoffs, and I need him to shake off whatever was going on this season, like, he couldn’t shoot the puck.”

—Jay Rosehill, Podcast Co-host

Draisaitl notably scored four overtime goals in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, placing him among a select group of players with multiple playoff overtime winners in a single final.

Matthews faced a challenging 2024–25 season while playing through an injury sustained during training camp. His production dipped to 33 goals in 67 games, marking the lowest total of his nine NHL seasons. He remains optimistic about his health moving forward.

“Definitely a tough year physically,” Matthews said in May, via NHL.com. “… I’m really confident I’ll be back 100% next season.”

—Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs Captain

A Closer Look at the Goal Scoring Rivalry Between Matthews and Draisaitl

Leon Draisaitl earned the Maurice Richard Trophy this season with 52 goals, continuing to be one of the league’s most prolific scorers since 2018. Over those years, he has consistently ranked just behind Matthews in regular-season goal tallies, while also delivering strong playoff performances and maintaining high points-per-game numbers. His ability to score from dangerous positions and his speed contribute to his reputation.

Despite Matthews’ remarkable stats, Alberga conceded that Draisaitl proves more clutch in critical moments.

“I agree. And, if you’re talking about who’s more clutch, it’s night and day, Draisaitl,” Alberga said. “I think he’s one of the clutch players we’ve seen in the last 20 years, especially in the Stanley Cup playoffs. And you can’t make that case about Auston Matthews,”

—Nick Alberga, NHL Analyst

The ongoing conversation among fans regarding the superior goal scorer shows no signs of abating. When comparing career statistics, Draisaitl has accumulated 399 goals over 790 games, while Matthews has surpassed that with 401 goals across just 629 games, underlining Matthews’ higher scoring rate despite recent physical setbacks.

The Stakes of the Goal Scoring Debate Moving Forward

This Alex Ovechkin goal scoring debate, particularly in relation to Matthews and Draisaitl, intensifies as each player continues to shape their legacy in the NHL. Matthews’ resilience and goal-scoring talent are clear, but demonstrating consistency in playoff clutch moments remains vital to cementing his position as the league’s best.

Meanwhile, Draisaitl’s established clutch record and steady scoring pace maintain his status as a formidable competitor. Ovechkin’s historic career sets a high benchmark for goal scoring excellence, influencing comparisons and expectations across generations.

As each athlete recovers and prepares for upcoming seasons, the championship aspirations and scoring races promise to fuel further debate and excitement among hockey fans and analysts alike.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is Alex Ovechkin missing a tooth?

A. Alexander Ovechkin, the captain of the Washington Capitals, often loses a few teeth and surprisingly never gets them repaired.