The Leafs were coming off of an awful 6-4 loss against the Buffalo Sabres, where they wasted a hat trick from Auston Matthews in the loss. They were back in action Monday night as they hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning. Whenever these two teams face off against each other, it is always an absolute rollercoaster of a game.
First Star – Matthew Knies
Knies was an incredibly dominant force all night long in this one. He finally got the opportunity to skate on the top line with Matthews and Marner, and let’s just say he did not disappoint. He wasn’t just a factor on the scoresheet, but he was also a factor physically. He played a total of 15:37, where he scored a goal, had two assists, was plus four, had two shots on goal, two hits, and a takeaway; what an unbelievable game from the rookie! One of his assists was next level as he made a no-look pass tape to tape right in the slot to Auston Matthews, who made no mistake finishing it off. He has definitely earned the right to keep playing on that top line moving forward!
Second Star – Auston Matthews
Stop me if you heard this before … another multi-goal game from the Leafs franchise superstar. Ending the first period down 4-1 was far from ideal for the blue and white. Who else but Auston Matthews to drag them back into the fight? He played a total of 20:28 in this one, where he scored two goals, had an assist, was plus four, fired six shots on goal, blocked two shots, and threw two hits as well. Simply a dominant performance from number 34 for the blue and white. It’s getting to the point where he’s doing it night in and night out. If he can somehow remain at this pace, dare I say, he may be underpaid on his four year extension that kicks in next season. Through 12 games this season, he has 13 goals and five assists for a total of 18 points; what a player!
Third Star – Mitch Marner
Marner had a four point night on Saturday night in the loss to the Sabres. How would he follow up that performance? With another four point performance, of course! Marner played a total of 20:57, he scored a goal, had three assists, was plus four, had three shots on goal, one blocked shot, and two hits as well. Marner quietly has a seven game point streak going. In those seven games, he has four goals and nine assists for a total of 13 points; electric stuff from number 16 for the blue and white. Just eight seconds after Calle Jarnkrok tied it up 4-4, Marner rifled one top shelf to give the Leafs a 5-4 lead, their first lead of the night. It was an incredible night from Marner, to say the least.
Honorable mention to Calle Jarnkrok, who arguably had his best performance of the season in this one. He played a total of 17:38, where he scored two goals, including the game winner, was plus one, had three shots on goal, and he threw two hits as well. Both of his goals were great, but the overtime game winner was a gorgeous play between the trio of Nylander, Reilly, and Jarnkrok. With the assist on the game winning goal, Nylander also extended his point streak to 12 games!
The Leafs return to action on Wednesday night as they host the Ottawa Senators for a new chapter in the battle of Ontario!
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