Watch: Matthews completes hat trick in debut
Andre Ringuette / National Hockey League / Getty
#GottaSeeIt - Auston Matthews completes the hat trick early in the 2nd period of his first #NHL game. pic.twitter.com/UyAZZms1AC
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 13, 2016
As far as answering the hype, there's never been a better NHL debut.
With his third shot, on his seventh shift, and in five minutes of total ice time, Toronto Maple Leafs phenom (yes, phenom) Auston Matthews completed his hat trick, becoming the first No. 1 draft pick in NHL history to accomplish the feat in his first NHL game.
Matthews is the fifth player in history to turn the trick in his debut, joining Alex Smart, Real Cloutier, Fabian Brunnstrom, and Derek Stepan, according to TSN Statscentre.