Leafs’ fourth line powers gritty win over stingy Kings
Matt Martin keeps telling a demoted Mitch Marner that a guy can do a whole lot of good on the fourth line.
On Monday, Martin showed the kid what he meant as their group, with centre Dominic Moore, were the unlikely catalysts and accidental video stars in a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings at the ACC.
It wasn’t exactly what coach Mike Babcock and the Maple Leafs drew up for a showdown between the shutdown Kings and Toronto’s track team. But most goals versus stingiest defence was dominated at times by the lower echelon line.
Martin scored the opening goal, got involved in two tussles and even played a role in a disallowed goal. And he and his linemates forechecked the Kings like demons all night long.
Marner, in his bid to get off the bottom unit, had two assists as Toronto rebounded from a terrible game in Ottawa to hand the Kings their first regulation loss (6-1-1).
“It was a good one to contribute to,” said Martin, whose first goal of the season came off a Marner wraparound that went to the point for a Roman Polak shot that happened to strike his stick.
“It’s a good opportunity for me and Moore (who won the draw to start the goal) to get some offence. Mitchy was Mitchy, creating chances through the neutral zone and carrying the puck. We’ll ride this as long as we can.”
Martin has tried to cushion Marner’s fall, which came a few games ago when his troubles on defence led to a switch with Connor Brown from the team’s second line.
“He never really shows it,” Martin said. “But I’ve been in this league and know how hard it is when you’re as dynamic as he is, to go what he’s been going through.”
The Kings didn’t let the Leafs off lightly, keeping it a one-goal game most of the night. Leafs’ goalie Frederik Andersen made 28 stops before Adrian Kempe beat him. Trevor Lewis scored short-handed to make it 3-2 in the third.
“There are a handful of teams you consider are contenders every single year and they’re right up there with teams like Chicago,” Martin said. “They wiped us clean 7-0 last year. They pushed us around and we didn’t want that happening again. We want this to be a tough building to play in.”
Martin wrestled with Andy Andreoff after the Kings’ player tried to lay out Marner. He also traded punches with defenceman Christian Folin. A Marner goal was called back when Folin shoved Martin into Kings’ goalie Jonathan Quick.
A minute after Marner was denied on replay, Patrick Marleau had his first ACC goal and fourth overall, deflecting a Morgan Rielly shot from the point. Quick argued it was a high stick, but further review exonerated Marleau.
For Rielly, it was his eighth point in nine games.
Toronto’s homestand continues against Carolina on Thursday and it will be interesting to see if Babcock changes lines at practice or keeps milking Martin and Marner.