STYLE POINTS
Marner’s electrifying offence leads Leafs and puts heat on elite
Mitch Marner says it’s no big deal for him that he is now the leading scorer for the Toronto Maple Leafs. But it’s certainly notable that he is. In the continued absence of all-star centre Auston Matthews with a shoulder injury, Marner has raised his game to new heights.
“It’s obviously cool,” Marner said of topping the club’s scoring list with 18 goals and 36 assists for 54 points, including a goal to round out the scoring in Monday night’s 5-3 loss in Buffalo. “I just want to help this team win. Whether that’s putting up points, blocking shots — do whatever to help out.”
Marner’s quick-thinking plays are a joy to watch, but teammate Morgan Rielly says he’s even more fun to play with.
“Mitch has been outstanding,” the defenceman said. “I think he’s a real gamechanger, a real good player. The way he works, the things he brings to the game, it’s pretty impressive. He’s a guy that can change the outcome of a game. He’s playing well. He has confidence.
“He’s great to play with. He sees everything. He’s a great skater. He’s got a great attitude. He’s a great teammate.”
While hockey watchers league-wide are weighing the Hart Trophy credentials of the Devils’ Taylor Hall and marvelling at the scoring exploits of Capitals 40-goal man Alex Ovechkin and points leader (with 85) Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning, it should be noted that Marner has been scoring at a pace comparable with the league’s best of late.
Since Jan. 24, when he moved to the wing on Nazem Kadri’s line, Marner has 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points. That’s among the best totals in the NHL in that span: the same number as Hall, two behind Kucherov and one more than Ovechkin.
“Just got to be comfortable with yourself and stay responsible defensively,” said Marner.
“Right now I’m coming back, trying to help our defencemen more, get the puck on my hands more. When you get the puck on your hands at the start of the game, you just feel confident throughout.”
While the Leafs ranked fourth in NHL scoring through Sunday, Marner’s team-leading point total wasn’t among the top 50. Still, despite a rocky start to this season, he’s closing in on the numbers he racked up in his impressive rookie campaign — 19 goals, 42 assists.
It’s quite a feat considering he spent time on the fourth line early in the season and suffered through stretches of 10 and 17 games without a goal.
“Nobody likes that, it sucked,” said Marner. “You come in every day and work at getting better and not take a day for granted. This is a great place to play. The fans are great. The locker room is great. I just had to enjoy every moment and make sure I came to work every day trying to get better.”
Marner is on pace to become just the sixth player to lead the blue and white in scoring since the introduction of the salary cap, after the 2005-06 season. Phil Kessel was the Leafs’ top point-getter six times and Mats Sundin three, while Kadri, Matthews and Jason Blake have done it once each.
“Pucks are going in for him,” winger James van Riemsdyk said of Marner. “He’s making good plays. But when you get a couple that go in, you start to feel good and things snowball that way. He seems to be rolling with it and doing good things.”
Monday’s game was the 15th Matthews has missed this season, with three different injuries. As hot as Marner’s been, no one really replaces Matthews, who averages 0.94 points per game to Marner’s 0.79. “It’s easy to say that everyone has to pick up the slack, but not a guy like (Matthews),” says goalie Frederik Andersen. “But it does give opportunities for other guys to step up. If you’re his linemate, or a guy that’s in the lineup because he’s out, you get more opportunities. It’s something we all should embrace.”
Marner’s ice time hasn’t changed with Matthews out, but the Leafs’ reliance on Marner for offence has.
“He seems like a guy that has chemistry with everyone,” said Andersen. “He’s got vision. He makes plays look easy. That’s one of my favourite things about Mitch, he’s so creative. He plays with that energy and joy.”