The greatest season in Toronto Maple Leafs history came to a poor end caused by the incompetency of the NHL’s referees.
The Toronto Maple Leafs overcame having four of the best teams in the entire league in their division, and played a spirited final two games, only to be undone by lopsided refereeing and called back goal that remains completely incomprehensible.
Part of what allowed the Leafs to outplay the Bolts in round one was the spectacular play of Mitch Marner, who was the NHL’s best player from the time he returned from injury in mid January to the day the Leafs were eliminated in May.
Marner entered the playoffs having failed to score a goal in his previous 18 games. He had 5x puck over the glass penalties during this time as well. Despite not scoring, Marner played well and has an Expected Goals rating over 60% for the last three playoffs.
Toronto Maple Leafs Have 2 x Hart Trophy Threats
He was incredible against Tampa, putting up eight points and two goals in seven games. This included an absolutely dominant Game 7 where the Leafs attempted 22 shots while Tampa attempted 3 with Marner on the ice.
It’s hard to describe without exaggeration just how good Marner was in game seven of this year’s playoffs. The sad thing about hockey is that we do not recognize great performances unless they also happen to include a win or at least a goal or two. (stats naturalstattrick.com).
To put up an 89% xgoals rating, to dominate to the tune of 22 shot attempts to 3, to outshoot them 8-1 and get all the scoring chances, and still come away with a 1-1 is about as unlucky as it’s possible to be in a hockey game.
With all the Leafs baggage, to get that game, from their best two players (Matthew’s numbers are similar to Marners) and not win is just a kick in the groin.
But I have digressed.
After coming back from injury last season in January, Marner went on to lead the league in points and points per minute from that moment forward. He scored at a pace that would be 12 points higher than McDavid’s career high.
He scored at a 52 goal pace.
And he did it while killing penalties and being an elite defender.
Auston Matthews scored 50 goals in 50 games and is the best Toronto Maple Leafs player of all-time. But Mitch Marner is the second best. He is massively underrated because he plays with Matthews, and hardly anyone even agrees with the indisputable fact that he’s the 3rd best forward in the NHL.
If he picks up where he left off last year, he’ll win the Hart Trophy this year. Marner would have 4 straight 100 points seasons if not for injuries and circumstances. Look for him to top that number this year, along with 40 or 50 goals while he competes with his teammate Auston Matthews for the Hart Trophy.
The scary thing about this team is that last year they finished 4th overall with no goaltending. What happens if they actually get decent goaltending to go along with having 2 MVPs on the roster? Marner is still getting better and when he emerges from Auston’s shadow, expect six more years of contention.