McMann scored the opening and final goal of the game for his first-career NHL hat-trick.
McMann scored the opening and final goal of the game for his first-career NHL hat-trick.
No Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Morgan Rielly, no problem for the Maple Leafs.
Bobby McMann started — and finished — the scoring inside Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night, giving the Maple Leafs plenty to be happy about with a few of their important players missing from the lineup.
Toronto played a quick game, with most of the team skating with a high intensity. Although it was a lineup riddled with depth players, you wouldn't be able to tell with the way they were playing against the St. Louis Blues.
According to NaturalStatTrick.com, the Maple Leafs led in expected goals at five-on-five for all three periods against the Blues. The depth showed what they're capable of in a game where there were several question marks going into the matchup.
McMann uses his strength to drive in front of the net from beneath the goal line and put the puck into the net for his third goal of the season. A pretty big tally that showcases what McMann can do when he's at his best.
The 27-year-old's goal is one you'd often see while he was with the Marlies. McMann always utilized his strength and speed to cut into the middle and beat the opposing goaltender in the AHL. It's nice to see that it also worked in the NHL on Tuesday evening.
Toronto wouldn't be done scoring goals in the first period, though.
William Nylander's shot goes off Matthew Kessel's stick and past Jordan Binnington. That's Nylander's 26th goal of the season, and team-leading 66th point of the year, giving Toronto the 2-0 lead.
The Maple Leafs would have two breakaways after the pair of goals — one from Tyler Bertuzzi near the end of the first and another from Noah Gregor while on the penalty kill in the second — but couldn't capitalize on either of them.
St. Louis' fourth line went to work after the Maple Leafs killed the Max Domi interference penalty. Nathan Walker's shot gets deflected in front by Alexey Toropchenko and into the net, cutting Toronto's lead to just one goal.
A similar scenario happened in the third period, but this time, for Toronto.
The Maple Leafs couldn't capitalize on a power play of their own, but a few shifts later, McMann again got on the board for Toronto. He jumped on the loose puck and beat Jordan Binnington over the shoulder for his second of the game, giving the Maple Leafs a 3-1 lead in the third period.
This is an enormous goal for McMann for a few reasons, but none bigger than him putting his team even closer to victory. The Blues were only down by a goal going into the third period, but this goal from the third-line forward might be the most important of the night for Toronto.
And with several of your prominent players out of the lineup, this is everything you ask for out of your depth forwards.
McMann would add an empty netter from the Maple Leafs' end to cap off a massive night with his first-ever hat-trick in the NHL.
Toronto defeats the Blues 4-1, giving themselves a lot to be proud of after a day filled with illnesses and a Rielly suspension.
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