For the second straight season, Mitch Marner came just short of 100 points, but it’s all good —99’s nothing to be ashamed about.
Noel Acciari’s 100th career point – a goal – was the game winner as the Leafs ..ah, who gives a flying puck..they won 3-2 on Broadway against the Rangers to finish the regular season 50-21-11.
Of note, William Nylander, who mustered six shots on goal on the night, hit the 40-goal plateau for the first time in his career. Meantime, Joseph Woll made 22 stops for his sixth consecutive victory.
All of Toronto’s scoring came in the third period. If you can believe it, they currently own the longest active streak in the league without being shutout at 145 consecutive games. Furthermore, for just the fifth time in franchise history, the Leafs scored at least a goal in every regular season game.
MUZZY’S MUZINGS:
ANOTHER STRONG OUTING FOR WOLL
Not that he needed it, but the rookie netminder turned in yet another solid performance turning aside 22 shots. At this point, even if Matt Murray were healthy – which he’s not – I’d probably still favour Woll to back-up Ilya Samsonov in the postseason. It’ll be interesting; I wonder what the odds are that we see the rookie netminder in the Tampa series. It’s a very volatile position; I’ll just leave it at that. The best part about this whole story is that the fact that Woll has emerged at the most important time of the year. Honestly, they would be borderline screwed if they had no competent tertiary option available to them right now. What a blessing, what a story.
MILESTONE WATCH
Not for a lack of trying – especially late in regulation with the goalie pulled – Mitch Marner came just a hair shy of hitting the 100-point plateau for the first time in his career finishing off with 99. Despite that, he deserves a lot of credit for his regular season, especially the way last year ended. He was phenomenal.
Meantime, you can tell from puck drop that William Nylander was not going to be denied in his quest for 40 goals. Yeah, that negotiation is going to suck this summer, but let’s focus on the present. In the past few years, Nylander has performed very well under the bright lights of the postseason. He’s a rockstar, and if he plays the way he’s capable of playing, there’s no telling where the Leafs can go this spring.
IT’S ON LIKE DONKEY KONG
What a sigh of relief. Barring something completely out of left field, minus Matt Murray, it appears the Leafs will enter the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a very healthy lineup. And considering how long ago they essentially solidified a playoff spot, I would call that a win. Yeah, some guys are banged up, but for the most part, they seem to have escaped anything serious. Now, it’s time to rest up and get ready for Game 1 against the Lightning.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT:
😎 40 FOR WILLY STYLES!!! 😎 pic.twitter.com/GNq4dpibKC
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 14, 2023
WHAT’S NEXT?
That’s it, that’s all for the regular season. The Leafs will now prepare for Game 1 against Tampa at Scotiabank Arena on either Monday or Tuesday night. Giddy up!
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