You remember what happened on Oct. 8, 2013? Tomas Hertl scored four goals in just his third NHL game. He took some flak for that - apparently when young people are good at hockey and having fun, old people get really angry about that for no apparent reason - and Joe Thornton came to his defence, with some particularly funny (and crass) language.
Four goals in one game is now known as a dick trick, thanks to him.
Thornton is an extremely good player. He has never had a dick trick.
Matthews, in his very first NHL game, is the very first player to ever debut with a four goal performance. (I mean, excluding some duded from 1917, apparently. I guess if you’re gonna celebrate a centennial...)
Thirty-nine minutes. Fifty-seven seconds. Four goals. Matthews is the king.
first player to ever score 4 goals in his NHL debut pic.twitter.com/X9o5uqvpBn
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 13, 2016
This particular gem was assisted by William Nylander and Jake Gardiner. In case you somehow missed them, here are goals one, two, and three.
This is unprecedented. I don’t even know what to say anymore, at this point. He is putting fear into the hearts of well-established, extremely talented netminders already.
I've just decided that Reims will play ALL of the games versus the leafs this year...... #Matthews
— Strombone (@strombone1) October 13, 2016
So uh... what’s the protocol on five? Six? Ten? Matthews has already made history; what are a couple more?