Top 10 Toronto Maple Leafs Moments of the 2021 Season (So Far)

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks to make a check against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks to make a check against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 15: Joe Thornton #97 of the Toronto Maple Leafs  . (Photo by Matt Zambonin/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /

7. The Thornton – Marner – Matthews Connection

Remember at the start of the season where people started questioning ‘How long is this experiment going to last? Can’t be long right?’ Well with the results we’ve seen thus far, I think it’s here to stay.

Jumbo was unfortunately injured with a broken rib in just his 5th game with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The injury would sideline Thornton for nearly a month before Thornton would return as good as ever.

In his first four games since back with the Toronto Maple Leafs Jumbo has had 6 points. He currently sits with 9 points in 9 games.

Now as far as chemistry among the line of Thornton-Matthews-Marner – well the proof is in the pudding. I’ll just let this Thronton scoring log speak for itself:

There’s proof on not only the scoresheet but also the ice. This clip from just Thursday night is just spectacular. It’s not that any of them are spectacular moves individually, but together what they made was a masterpiece of a play.

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1362567427897384960

Each of Thornton, Matthews, and Marner read off each other perfectly and it ends up in the back of the net. This wasn’t the first time we saw a great passing play between the group of them, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

The Jumbo Experiment was successful and it’s one that is going to stay until something big halts it.