Morgan Rielly played a pivotal role in the Toronto Maple Leafs' 5-4 comeback victory over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night. Logging a team-high 27:39 of ice time, the veteran defenseman delivered a standout performance, registering one goal and three assists – his first four-point night since December 7, 2021.
His contributions helped the Leafs overcome a 3-0 deficit and earn a full two points on the road. However, that wasn’t the biggest significance of the night. With his four-point total, Rielly reached the 500-point milestone, now with 502 points (87G, 415A) in 849 regular season games in the blue and white.
His 502 points put him 18 points shy of tying Tomas Kaberle for the second-most points by a defenseman in Maple Leafs franchise history.
“It feels good but I mean, what everyone else would say, there are more important things," said Rielly post-game. "To win is great. This is a good little road trip for us to come back after the break and spend some time with the guys. To win, it helps that mood. Travel day tomorrow, all the rest of it is a bit better after a win.”
“He’s been a great player in this league for a long time,” said head coach Craig Berube. “He made a great play tonight on that Robertson goal but he made a lot of good plays. Like I said, this has gone on for a few weeks now where he’s way more involved offensively, more aggressive, making plays, confidence,” he added.
"He’s been the backbone of this team for a long time and it’s an awesome accomplishment for him,” teammate Mitch Marner chimed in.
This season, Rielly has seven goals, 23 assists, and 30 points in 58 games. Though it’s considered a down year for the veteran defenseman, he still leads all Maple Leafs in goals, assists, and points this season.
Other Takeaways:
Pontus Holmberg, Nick Robertson Stay Hot with Depth Scoring
Pontus Holmberg scored an important goal on Tuesday night in Boston, burying the game-tying goal at the 19:14 minute mark of the third period to tie the game at four and send the game to overtime. With the goal, the Swede extended his goal streak to three with four goals in his last three contests.
Nick Roberson found the back of the net for the second consecutive game, now with three goals and four points in his past two games. The forward tied the game at three as part of a three-goal period for the Maple Leafs, scoring his 11th of the season.
So what difference can their presence make?
“Well, a lot,” said Berube. “Robby, just going to Robby, he’s scoring right now, he’s working, competing, and he’s confident, right? Gives you confidence, same as Holmer. Great job by those guys.”
“Pontus has been great for us on that line with Johnny and Will. And Robby himself, too. On the power play, finding flat ice, really working his feet and working his shot – he’s got a special shot as we all know. It’s great to see those two producing and confidence high in them and that’s what you want to see,” Marner added.
Mitch Marner Picks Up Where He Left Off at TD Garden
After going scoreless in his first two games after the 4 Nations Face-Off break, Marner scored twice in the win in Boston on Tuesday – just five days removed from Team Canada’s championship in the same building.
His first goal was just a minute into the third period to cut the Bruins’ lead to one.
In the extra frame, the 27-year-old scored a highlight-reel goal, faking out Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman on a breakaway – allowing the Leafs to walk away with the win.
“Mitch had a heck of a game,” said Berube. “Played a lot of minutes, and overplayed him but we took too many penalties tonight so he was used on the penalty kill. He was an excellent player tonight I thought.
Marner registered two primary assists including a crucial helper on the game-winner in overtime to defeat teammate Auston Matthews and the United States in the final winner-take-all last Thursday.
“He comes back and he’s back to his old self, back to work,” said Rielly of Marner. “I think it would be easy for him to change or get caught up or hang out with all the big dogs. But he just comes and he’s right back to his old self. We love him.”
'A Really Cool Thing To Celebrate With Them': Mitch Marner Reacts To 4 Nations Win With Canada And Bringing Success Back To Maple Leafs
Until Thursday, Mitch Marner hadn't celebrated a winning hockey moment for quite some time.
Anthony Stolarz Anchors Comeback
Tuesday’s 5-4 comeback win would not have been possible without goaltender Anthony Stolarz.
Stolarz turned aside 32 of 36 shots faced in the game, standing tall amid a 3-0 deficit midway through the second period. Stolarz was pestered with pressure early with the Leafs on their heels, but again, he gave the club a chance to mount a comeback.
It was sloppy for the Leafs. But Stolarz answered the bell when needed, especially when Bruins captain Brad Marchand had the chance to put the game out of reach, threatening a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes with a late shorthanded chance at the end of the second period.
Stolarz prevented that from happening.
And his teammates appreciated the effort, too. After Marner’s game-winning goal in overtime, he immediately turned, pointed, and skated to embrace the 31-year-old.
"He made a couple of massive saves to keep the game how it was and just wanted to give him some love,” said Marner post-game.
“Our goalie made some big saves for us,” added Berube.
'Get A Nice Rotation Going': Anthony Stolarz Starts For Maple Leafs, Keep Rest Of Lineup Intact Against Bruins
The Toronto Maple Leafs are sticking with what's worked since returning from the 4 Nations break.
The club resumes game action on Friday in New York against the Rangers before wrapping up their four-game road trip on Sunday afternoon against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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