Unlikely Combatant Comes to Defense of Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews

Late in the third period with the Leafs up 4-0, Auston Matthews got tangled up between the benches with Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Kuraly with each of them giving each other a couple of cross-checks before a surprising intervention from Mitch Marner.

Marner jumped in and pushed Kuraly towards his own bench to allow Matthews and himself to change, which caught many in attendance by surprise, including The Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta who shared his surprise on 'X'.

As the Leafs prepare for what is hopefully a lengthy playoff run, it would appear the entire team has bought into Craig Berube's play style and demanding that players stand up for each other, especially without resident tough guy Ryan Reaves, who was placed on waivers ahead of the trade deadline.

It is a side of Marner that we had not seen in previous seasons, but since the trade deadline, he has become a more physical player and has engaged more in post-whistle scrums, and has even begun throwing more hits.

Whether or not he is playing with a chip on his shoulder with how things played out at the trade deadline, or from irritation over constant questions about his contract, it is a breath of fresh air for Leafs Nation heading into the playoffs, where Marner often gets pushed around and stuck on the perimeter.

With his newfound 'bite', fans of the Leafs are hopeful that it will carry over into the post-season and finally allow the Leafs' stars to break through and push the team on a deep playoff run.