Leafs forward doesn't like the timing of the All-Star break
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner is among the absolute hottest players in the NHL in recent weeks. In fact, Marner is riding a career-high 7-game goal streak. Not impressed yet? Would it change anything if I told you that Marner has 16 points over that same 7-game span? The kid is blazing hot!
Marner notched his second 4-point game of the season in last night's 7-1 drubbing of the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center, so it's no wonder that he wishes that his team could keep riding the current wave of success that has led them to their fourth 5-game win streak of the 2021-22 season.
"Obviously, (the timing) is a little unfortunate with the heater our line is on," Marner said on Wednesday of the upcoming All-Star break.
The 24-year-old is now up to 14 goals and 37 points on the season in just 33 games and is once again on a 90+ point pace over an 82-game span. The gifted playmaker is also on pace to reach a personal best 30 goals this season and has shown the ability to beat goalies clean - something that has impressed even teammate Auston Matthews, one of the best shooters in the world.
"He's so deceptive, so when he's got the puck, I think a lot of people anticipate him passing it sometimes. You've seen it the last couple games, him being able to beat the goaltender clean. He's got a great shot. Might need to get a little more juice on it, but he's definitely really accurate," said Matthews.
Marner was forced onto the sidelines at the beginning of December and missed a month of action after a collision with teammate Jake Muzzin at practice left him with a shoulder injury. He has been sensational since coming back after the extended break, so hopefully he can keep up the momentum when the Leafs return to action next week, following the conclusion of the All-Star festivities.
