Marleau scores twice in Maple Leafs debut
WINNIPEG Patrick Marleau’s birth certificate may say he’s 38 years old, but Toronto’s veteran free agent was feeling young and energized on Wednesday.
Marleau scored twice and added an assist in his Maple Leafs debut as Toronto cruised to a 7-2 rout of the Winnipeg Jets in the season opener for both teams.
His first goal began with youngster Mitch Marner passing up to sophomore Auston Matthews, who passed it across to Marleau in the high slot. The veteran kicked the puck up to his skate and went in alone on Steve Mason, dekeing before scoring the 509th goal of his career to make it 4-0 for the Maple Leafs.
“You can see how hungry they are out there, not only in games but in practice,” Marleau said of Matthews and Marner. “They’re striving to get better each and every day and you want to be part of that and you can feed off that for sure.”
Marleau spent the first 19 seasons of his NHL career with the Sharks, signing a three-year contract with Toronto on July 2.
“That was awesome,” Matthews, 20, said of Marleau’s first goal. “Unbelievable pickup by him and the move was even better. Pretty special play by him.
“I’m sure it feels good for him to get the ball rolling on that so we’re all happy for him.”
Nazem Kadri, James van Riemsdyk and William Nylander scored in a three-minute span in the first period for the Leafs (1-0-0). Marner and Matthews each added their first goals of the season. Tyler Bozak, Matthews and Van Riemsdyk each had a pair of assists and Marleau, Marner and Kadri all contributed one.
Frederik Andersen made 35 saves in net for Toronto.