Mitch Marner scored just 40 seconds into the game and added an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated Pittsburgh Penguins. The forward is just two games away from tying the franchise's consecutive point streak record of 18 games.
PITTSBURGH — Mitch Marner continues to be on a heater. But all he cares about his how well his team has played as of late.
"I'm just trying to go out there and buzz," he said. "We're trying to get wins as a hockey team and we're trying to do something special."
The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1 at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday. The win was their fourth in their last five games and they have accumulated points in the standings in 13 of their last 14 games.
Marner has been key in helping his team get to this point. He's registered a point in all 14 of those games, plus the two before them. He currently holds the NHL's longest active point streak at 16 games.
He wasted no time in extending the streak. It took 40 seconds for Marner to get on the scoresheet when the dynamic forward took advantage of a bad Penguins line change early in their game on Saturday and deked out goaltender Casey DeSmith to score his sixth goal of the season.
Auston Matthews made the heads up play to Marner who had no doubt his teammate was going to make good on his chance,
"He just had too much time with the goalie to not make a nice move," Matthews said of Marner goal. "He's been playing great for us. He's been leading the charge. It's been a lot of fun to witness."
Marner moved into a four-way tie for the third longest points streak in Maple Leafs history, joining Dave Andreychuk (1993-94), John Anderson (1983-94) and Babe Dye (1921-22).
The Thornhill, Ontario native is just two games away from matching the all-time Leafs points streak record of 18 shared by Darryl Sittler (1977-78) and Ed Olczyk (1889-90).
Marner wasn't done contributing to his offence after his goal. He set up rookie Pontus Holmberg with a nice pass from along the boards.
There are just two instances this season that Marner has not recorded a point in 23 games. At a time when the Leafs have been without their top three defenseman, the Leafs have seen the remaining players stepping up into key roles.
And that included the forwards like Marner.
"We've playing really good as a team," Rasmus Sandin said. "With the play from the forwards it's been easier the help overall on D."
Matthews had one of his best games with three points and picked up his fourth even-strength goal this season. The numbers have certainly been a bit lower than expected from the reigning Hart Trophy and Rocket Richard Trophy winner.
But in that time, Marner has taken his game to another level and the Leafs are reaping the benefits.
"He's clearly found his game," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Marner. "In all regards, he's just been a difference-maker for us. He's leading the way for us."