Mitch Marner exploded for 5 points on Saturday night in the Maple Leafs 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators.
The Leafs forward became fifth youngest player in Maple Leafs history to record 5 points, and the first Leaf since Tomas Kaberle back in 2009 to reach that mark in a game.
That’s right, Auston Matthews hasn’t registered five points in a game…yet. Bust.
Marner's two goals and three helpers means he factored in on every goal except Matthews’ 2-0 tally. Marner skated on a line with centre Nazem Kadri along with Patrick Marleau on the left side, giving the Leafs three legitimate scoring lines that are capable of striking at any time.
Factor in that Matthews’ line sees the toughest matchups defensively, and you get a mismatch where Marner and his line can flourish. The trio clicked for an even strength goal three times and controlled 90 percent of the shot attempts while they were on the ice. The former London Knights have been money together, as Kadri leads all Leafs in shots on goal at 5v5 since Babcock shook up his lines at the end of January.
Talk about dominance.
One player that was thoroughly impressed with Marner’s performance was Maple Leafs legend Doug Gilmour, who managed to snap a picture with the 20-year-old.
Name a more iconic Number 93 duo...we'll wait. (Yes, we know Marner wears No. 16 now).
It’s pretty cool to see one Leaf great reach out to the up-and-coming superstar. Gilmour was an idol of Marner’s growing up, and would like to emulate Gilmour’s leadership and superstardom to one day became a role model to young kids, just like Dougie G was to him.
