Leafs Teammates Noticing a Huge Shift in the Play of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski - USA Today Sports
The Toronto Maple Leafs players are beginning to see a real change in how Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are approaching the game with the playoffs looming.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been scrutinized for years about their lack of tenacity, aggressiveness, and ability to shine when the lights are the brightest.
That's why last night's game against the Florida Panthers was so important, because of what was on the line. Not only did the Leafs need to stave off the Panthers to gain a bigger lead atop the Atlantic Division, but they needed to show their mettle in what was going to be a playoff-type game.
Down 1-0 midway through the second period, the Maple Leafs rallied for 3 goals from John Tavares, Mitch Marner, and Matthew Knies. Sam Reinhart tallied late in the third to bring the Panthers back to within 1, but the Leafs kept their cool and collected the all-important 2 points with some gutsy plays from Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews really standing out.
The core players really came up to bat last night even beyond the fact that they were the ones who scored the goals. They exhibited "playoff hockey" mentality, and that should give the fan base goosebumps heading into a very important post-season run.
They were led by the top-line, which is comprised of Marner, Matthews, and of course, Matthew Knies, who praised his linemates as they played a very strong defensive game, battled for rebounds, dug in the dirty areas, and back-checked when needed.
"You saw in the last minute and a half. They stay out there and kill it and put it along the wall at the very end of the game. So, it's important for those guys to do that kind of thing and step up for us. It's fun to watch, to be honest. It's really cool for them to do stuff like that. You know, the not-pretty stuff."
It didn't stop there either as goaltender Anthony Stolarz joined in with some comments of his own, despite being a stalwart himself with a 29-save performance:
"That's key. They're gonna be our horses, and they're gonna have to lead, offensively and defensively. For us to go far, those guys are gonna have to commit to a 200-foot game. And I think right now, we're doing a healthy job of that. And when they're going, everyone else follows suit. So, it's exciting to see, for sure. And the way we're playing right now, it's trending in the right direction. I like what I'm seeing out of the boys."
With a regulation win last night, they now hold a 3-point lead on Tampa Bay, who has a game in hand and are 4 points up on Florida with the same amount of games. The Leafs have one game against each divisional opponent next week, and it comes during a dreaded back-to-back situation on the road on the 8th and 9th of April.
To come out on top, the Leafs are going to need Marner, Matthews, John Tavares, and William Nylander to replicate last night's effort in what will truly decide who comes out on top of the division and subsequently avoids a dreaded first round matchup with the Florida teams.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 3 | 2965 ANSWERS Leafs Teammates Noticing a Huge Shift in the Play of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner Does last night's performance against the Panthers give you confidence heading into the playoffs? | ||
| Yes, that's exactly what we needed to see | 1890 | 63.7 % |
| Not yet, we need to see more of it | 1075 | 36.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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