TORONTO (AP) — Mitch Marner had two objectives and an help to achieve a career-high 98 factors for the season, serving to the Toronto Maple Leafs rout the Montreal Canadiens 7-1 on Saturday evening.
“We have been actually linked,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe stated. “We have been in command of the sport and did not actually do something to jeopardize that.”
John Tavares scored twice, Auston Matthews had a aim and three assists and William Nylander and Michael Bunting additionally scored. Ilya Samsonov made 20 saves, and Ryan O’Reilly and Erik Gustafsson every had three assists.
Marner is 2 factors shy of turning into the fourth participant in franchise historical past to achieve 100 factors, becoming a member of Darryl Sittler (twice), Doug Gilmour (twice) and Auston Matthews (as soon as).
“Undoubtedly a cool factor,” Marner stated. “Attempt to not concentrate on stuff like that. However it’s arduous if you’re this shut.”
With goaltender Matt Murray nonetheless out with a head harm, the Maple Leafs signed College of Toronto netminder Jett Alexander to an beginner tryout contract — for salary-cap administration functions — hours earlier than the sport to function Samsonov’s backup as a substitute of recalling third-string possibility Joseph Woll from the minors. Alexander performed the ultimate 1:10, however did not register a save.
“Fairly particular,” Alexander stated. “Fairly nerve racking, clearly, however one thing I will keep in mind. It was simply, ‘Jett, you are going in.’ Hopped over the boards and simply sort of blacked out.”
Jonathan Kovacevic scored for Montreal. Sam Montembeault stopped 39 photographs.
“Robust consequence and never the best way we needed to play,” Canadiens defenseman Chris Wideman stated. “That they had a goodnight.”
Wideman wasn’t comfortable the Maple Leafs put Alexander into the fray late.
“They’re going to get what they deserve in just a few weeks,” stated Wideman, apparently in reference to the upcoming playoffs. “That is simply my opinion.”
Locked right into a first-round playoff matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto has additionally clinched home-ice benefit within the collection.
UP NEXT
Canadiens: At New York Islanders on Wednesday evening.
Maple Leafs: At Florida on Monday evening to open a season-ending three-game journey.
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