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Toronto Maple Leafs: The Kids’ Top Goals

By Andrew Boehmer |
Feb 21, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) is congratulated by left wing Matt Martin (15) and (43) and center William Nylander (29) and center Auston Matthews (34) against the Winnipeg Jets at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Jets 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) is congratulated by left wing Matt Martin (15) and (43) and center William Nylander (29) and center Auston Matthews (34) against the Winnipeg Jets at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Jets 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
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It’s been a fun ride ranking the Toronto Maple Leafs kids top goals of the season.

With the likes of Auston Matthews, Mitchell Marner and William Nylander playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, we were bound to see some goals. Everyone expected that. What some of us might not have expected is just how nice their goals would be.

Now, they’re not the lone few guys scoring for the Leafs. But, they have all contributed in the category of beautiful goal delivery.

If I were you, I would expect to see some more Top Goals articles in the near future featuring other players. For now, let’s count down the to the very best goal between Matthews, Marner, and Nylander.

5. Mitchell Marner v. Ottawa Senators

To reiterate. Had this not been scored in a shootout, this goal would be higher on this list. But, it was scored in a shootout and I hate shootouts. However, it’d be unfair to leave it out because of that. The pure craftsmanship of this goal is just too good to pass up on.

Marner comes in slow and does a couple of crossovers to adjust his positioning. A few moves and a wave of his magic wand later, it’s in the back of the net.

It’s not that simple, though. Marner manages to pull off a Datsyukian deke where he pushes the puck to one side and then draws it over on his backhand to slide it home. Pavel Datsyuk was a maven of this art form.

Notice his left skate. He just has the back edge touching the ice to allow him to pivot his body, an excellent tool to make a quick shift. It’s such a creative goal.

4. William Nylander v. Arizona Coyotes

Nylander comes soaring over the blue line on the right side with Oliver Ekman-Larsson chopping at him. He’s not phased.

A few strides before closing in on Mike Smith, he lets up a bit to allow him to try something creative. And, he delivers. Nylander digs his left skates edge into the ice to use his stick as a fulcrum, lifting the puck up. His speed forces Smith to try the fabled two pad stack. Poor choice mister full-ice five-hole.

Somehow, Nylander is able to get the puck up and over Smith. Look how tight he is around the crease. The ability to lift the puck up that fast on the backhand is a skill very few players in the world possess.

3. Mitchell Marner v. Florida Panthers

Marner has the puck on a breakaway but is being prodded by Michael Matheson the whole time. He fends him off and skates towards former Toronto Maple Leafs goalie, James Reimer.  Marner then pulls it from his forehand to his backhand doing a great job at protecting the puck.

He pulls it from his forehand to his backhand doing a great job at protecting the puck.

Getting in real tight on Reimer and running out of time, he just outmaneuvers him for a disgusting goal. He tucks it in glove side.

2. Auston Matthews v. Ottawa Senators

Matthews takes the puck from Mark Stone, puts it through Mike Hoffman’s legs, guards it against Kyle Turris and Hoffman, steals it from Erik Karlsson, shoots it before Marc Methot could block it and it ends up behind Craig Anderson.

He beats seven opponents singlehanded before scoring the goal. Take a closer look at Matthews’ head just before he shoots. He appears to be dialed in on passing the puck before a quick snap into the back of the net.

1. Auston Matthews v. Carolina Hurricanes

This goal is just pure filth. It’s somewhat similar to the goal that Alex Ovechkin scored earlier in his career.

Matthews is seen driving to the net as he gets pushed forward by Phillip Di Giuseppe. He twists and turns his body while still keeping the puck on his backhand as he’s falling over.

Somehow, he manages to slip the puck past Cam Ward for what should be the best goal of the season, or at least is so far.

Bonus

Who would I be without a bonus? Well, here it is. The terrific trifecta as Sportsnet puts it. The three combining for something that’s never been done in the 100 years of the NHL is something special.

The icing on the cake is that they’re all Toronto Maple Leafs property.

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