Mitch Marner’s streak has built on the back of a remarkable 25 games to start the season that has seen him held off the scoresheet just twice.
There’s a very satisfying symmetry to the fact that his 18-game point streak commenced on the road in San Jose and it was the same San Jose Sharks that he matched Olczyk and Sittler against.
While people might argue that accomplishing such a record with an empty-net goal almost feels too easy, you only need look at the fact he hit the post moments earlier to realize that even empty nets aren’t guarantees.
Unlike Sittler and Olczyk, a lot of Marner’s games have been single-point affairs, with just 6 two-point games making up his streak. In fact, his point total in those 18 games is the lowest of the current record-holding trio with just 24 points.
Mitch Marner of course was somewhat unlucky not to tally a first 100-point season last campaign and this year seems on-track to potentially miss that mark once more – he currently is tracking for 95 points.
The Toronto Maple Leafs know exactly what they’re getting with Mitch Marner, regardless of his individual accomplishments though.
He is consistently out making smart defensive plays, getting into passing lanes and simply proving an effective player without the puck.
With the puck, he’s great fun to watch as he makes plays and passes that don’t seem quite possible at times, though his propensity to try these does lead to the odd giveaway, but with that said he does seem to raise the games of those around him.
Auston Matthews seems to have suffered a slight production dip since being split from Mitch Marner, while John Tavares has upped his slightly now he has him on his wing.
Perhaps the most satisfying statistic to see in his point-streak is that he lifts his game to the opponent; some of those two-point nights have been against the likes of the Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights and Pittsburgh Penguins, none of which are exactly pushovers.
It’s safe to say that the Toronto Maple Leafs as a team have turned their form around during the span of his point streak and at least some of that credit lies with Mitch Marner.
If he indeed takes sole possession of the longest point-scoring streak in Toronto Maple Leafs against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone that suggests it’s undeserved.