It’s been a rollercoaster of a season, so it’s only fitting that the Toronto Maple Leafs enter the Olympic break on a three-game winning streak. Toronto defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 to conclude its four-game road trip, and while its playoff chances remain infinitesimal, it will be a much more engaged group returning to action at the end of the month.

Anthony Stolarz submitted his best start since opening night, recording 34 stops in the winning effort. Matias Maccelli scored twice, while Matthew Knies, John Tavares and Bobby McMann all added singles in the winning effort.

In a vacuum, this would be a terrific result for the Maple Leafs, but this result shouldn’t change their deadline outlook as sellers. It remains to be seen whether Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving views it this way, ahead of Wednesday’s 3 PM Olympic roster freeze.

Anthony Stolarz recorded his first win since November 5, and was arguably the Leafs’ best player on Tuesday. Stolarz made nine high-danger saves, while saving .86 goals above expected via Natural Stat Trick. He was moving well, with real confidence in his crease and kept a high-octane Oilers’ offence in check throughout the game.

Stolarz made an excellent save on Leon Draisaitl’s high-danger chance during the opening minute of the game, and never looked back from there, book-ending the game in the third period with another stop on last year’s Rocket Richard winner. He made a series of excellent saves on Jack Roslovic, and he completely frustrated Andrew Mangiapane. Mangiapane eventually snowed Stolarz, Oliver Ekman-Larsson was having none of it, and took the Oilers’ forward down.

“I thought it was pretty good. It was my third game back, I kind of wanted to make a statement before the break. I kind of felt more like myself tonight. The last three games have been trending upwards for me,” Stolarz said post-game to Sportsnet’s Gene Principe.

It didn’t stop there, as Stolarz made an excellent save on Connor McDavid midway through the second period. As the Maple Leafs eventually restored the lead in the third period, thanks to power play goals from John Tavares and Matias Maccelli, Stolarz shut the door in the waning minutes, fending off a valiant Oilers team that outshot the Maple Leafs 36-27.

Stolarz received the team belt, awarded to the Leafs’ best or most impactful player in a winning effort. It’s certainly well-deserved.

It’s no fun to write about players in these terms, but the reality is that the Maple Leafs ought to be sellers, and Tuesday’s game was a showcase for several roster players. Matias Maccelli delivered arguably his finest performance of the year, punctuated with two goals, while Bobby McMann showed why he’s drawing interest from the Oilers, reportedly among several other clubs.

Maccelli was the beneficiary of another terrific game from William Nylander, but he also forced himself into good spots throughout the night. During Maccelli’s first goal, Nylander drove the zone and fired a shot on goal during a 2-on-1. Maccelli then hit the bar, and the puck went into the corner. Toronto won the puck battle, Jake McCabe then fired the puck from the point and Maccelli expertly deflected it for the game’s opening goal.

Maccelli made an active effort to get into shooting lanes throughout the night, and this carried over into a third-period power play. As Max Domi surveyed the ice, Maccelli crashed down from the top of the faceoff circle and wired home a one-timer for the insurance goal. It was a terrific night from Maccelli and his linemates, where he earned a 62 percent share of the expected goals at 5-on-5.

As for McMann, his elite speed was on display throughout the game. McMann set up Domi for a grade-A chance during the game’s opening shift, and was completely engaged throughout the night. McMann then stripped the Oilers for a breakaway in the second period, but was turned away by Connor Ingram. He was hunting for his offence all game, and you could argue that he was the best player on Toronto’s top line with Domi and Auston Matthews. McMann punctuated a strong game with an empty-net goal, and perhaps it’s understandable why the Leafs are reportedly looking for a first-round pick, or two second-round picks in exchange for the 29-year-old.

Jake McCabe received perhaps the most impossible assignment in the NHL, and emerged victorious, tasked with shutting down Connor McDavid. McCabe led all Maple Leafs in ice time, playing 25:16 on the second night of a road back-to-back. McCabe responded with one of his best games of the season, generating the primary assist on Maccelli’s game-opening marker.

During McCabe’s 13:19 against McDavid at 5-on-5, Toronto outshot Edmonton 9-5. McDavid recorded four shots, on par with his season average, but he rarely presented the ever-present danger he’s become known for. If you’re reading this, you’re keenly aware, but McDavid turned Scotiabank Arena into his own playground during the last matchup on December 13. It was a different story Tuesday, as McCabe matched McDavid with four shots on goal, three shot blocks, and a hit, while keeping the NHL’s leading scorer relatively out of harm’s way.

McCabe finished the game with a team-best 62.8 percent share of the expected goals at 5-on-5. His game isn’t flashy, and there have been lulls throughout the year, which can be said of the Maple Leafs’ defence corps overall. Entering the Olympic break, McCabe delivered a standout performance against the world’s best player.