TLN Three Stars: 40 in 49 for our favourite #34

The Toronto Maple Leafs started this game looking for redemption after losing in OT to the Montreal Canadiens a few nights ago. Well, they wanted redemption, and they got it. Just 15 seconds after puck drop Alex Galchenyuk opened the scoring for the Leafs. They didn’t stop there, as goals by John Tavares, Pierre Engvall, and Mitch Marner followed. The Leafs were up 4-0 at the end of the first, with 4 goals on 15 SOG. The second period was a bit more back and forth, it included a goal that was unfortunately called off for Ilya Mikheyev, and a goal for the Canadiens by none other than Cole Caufield. Just over three minutes into the third, Artturi Lehkonen got another past Jack Campbell making it 4-2. But, Auston Matthews managed to score another for the Leafs in the last few minutes of the period, ending the game at 5-2, giving the Leafs an exciting W.

Well a happy belated birthday going out to Mitch Marner! Marner was buzzing around the ice tonight, as he always is. I think it’s a thing of true beauty to be able to watch Marner play on this team, and live up to his once infamous contract. Marner scored a beautiful goal from basically behind the net that Primeau had absolutely no chance at. He also managed to rack up an assist on Matthews’ goal later on in the game. Marner is so speedy and I’m so glad that he’s a Toronto Maple Leaf.

We can be a little rough on John Tavares sometimes, but he’s doing his thing and still playing a good game of hockey. You could tell that as soon as the puck dropped tonight, Tavares was ready to go. With an assist on Galychenyuk’s goal just seconds into the first period, and his own goal a few minutes later, Tavares was focused and wanted to win. With his 18th goal of the season, and 3 SOG, Tavares looks like he’s getting ready for the post-season, and I can’t wait to see what he’ll do.

Papi Chulo! Can’t get much hotter than your 40th goal in your 49th game of the season. What can I say about Auston Matthews that hasn’t already been said? He’s smart, he’s fast, he makes plays, and gets the puck to the back of the net. Matthews quite simply doesn’t give up, and you love to see it. With his 40th goal of the season, 4 SOG, and playing almost 19 minutes on ice tonight, Matthews is my MVP and 1st Star of the night.

Listen, I feel a little bad about what the Leafs put Cayden Primeau through in the first period, but it was so much fun to watch. The Leafs managed to score 4 goals on 15 shots, which Primeau apparently didn’t see coming at all. In all honestly this was a great game, and I didn’t have the heart to make any of the Leafs the 40th Star, so here we are.

Can’t make it up.

I had to include another, because I couldn’t stop laughing at this one.

The Toronto Maple Leafs look to play their last few games of the regular season as they take on the Montreal Canadiens once more at Scotiabank Arena. Catch the game this Saturday on CBC at 7:00PM.