Mitch Marner quietly notched another two-point game in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ latest victory, a 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens, where he was once again the team’s standout player. This marks his third consecutive multi-point game.
The Leafs scored two power-play goals in the win, extending their success with the man advantage to seven power-play goals in their last three games. Despite a strong push from Montreal in the third period, the Canadiens were ultimately outmatched by Toronto’s deeper roster.
Joseph Woll stood tall in goal, while John Tavares and William Nylander continued their solid play. Unfortunately, Max Pacioretty suffered a leg injury and had to be helped off the ice.
But it was Mitch Marner who was the true difference-maker. With 20 points, he leads the Leafs in scoring and sits 11th in the league. The team is poised to get Auston Matthews back for their next game, but Marner’s stellar performances in Matthews’ absence have been vital.
While the strong performances of Woll, Nylander, and Tavares have garnered attention, Marner’s contribution should not be overlooked. His dynamic playmaking, vision, and ability to control the puck have been crucial to the Leafs’ success, especially on the power play, which has thrived despite Matthews’ absence.
Marner is currently on an eight-game point streak, leading the team in both assists and points. His contributions are not limited to offense; he’s also been excellent defensively, with double the number of takeaways compared to any other Leaf, and his on-ice presence has helped the team maintain a 57% expected goals rating when he’s on the ice.
Marner also leads all Leafs forwards in ice time, averaging over 21 minutes per game, just behind defensemen Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. He continues to be a key component of the Leafs’ penalty-killing unit, contributing Toronto’s first shorthanded goal of the season against Montreal.
The win against the Canadiens brought the Leafs’ record to an impressive 38-19-2 during Matthews’ absence, with Marner playing a central role in that success. Nylander has also been critical to the team’s performance, but Marner’s all-around game and defensive responsibilities set him apart.
Marner has expressed his desire to remain in Toronto, though Leafs general manager Brad Treliving and management have kept quiet about his future. Both sides appear content to focus on the season and the playoffs, with Marner betting on himself to continue his strong play as the year unfolds.
