The record books do count it from the start of the season. I don't think anyone is saying change the rule... Matthews 50-in-50 won't count the same way as others do... But pretending he hasn't scored 50 goals (51) in his last 50 games is funny. The feat is the same, whether it happens in the first 50, last 50, or a 50 in the middle. They're so hell bent on trying to discount anything that a Leaf does.
I'm gonna love watching Oilers Twitter implode when Matthews wins Hart.