CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 07: Morgan Rielly #44 of the Toronto Maple Leafs shoots the game winning goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the regular seasopn opening home game at the United Center on October 7, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Maple Leafs defeated the Blackhawks 7-6 in overtime.

Rielly sets modern-era record for points by defenseman in 1st 5 games

8 years ago
Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Morgan Rielly's red-hot start to the 2018-19 season has earned him a spot in the NHL's history books.

With a goal and an assist on Thursday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs top-pairing blue-liner bumped up his point total to 12, making him the highest-scoring defenseman in the NHL's modern era (since 1943) through five contests, per Sportsnet Stats.

Here's a look at the names he passed:

Rielly now sits ahead of some legendary defenseman, and he's also tied with teammate Auston Matthews for the league lead in points.

Rielly, 24, broke out offensively last season, posting a career-high 52 points in 72 games, and he looks poised to set a new personal benchmark in his sixth NHL campaign.

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