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Thirty-two seconds into the third period of Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators, Mitch Marner showed why he was Mitch Marner.
Morgan Rielly and Marner locked eyes before the defenseman rifled the puck from the blue line to behind the net along the boards. After that, Marner knew the exact play he wanted to make.
The 27-year-old shifted the blade of his stick ever so slightly, letting the puck slide off and go straight to Auston Matthews, who made no mistake for his first goal of the series.
"I’m just behind the net and kind of went eye-to-eye with Mo and had a feeling he was going to run that down to me, and from that point on, I’m just taking a quick look to see what’s around me," Marner said after Toronto went up 3-0 in their series against Ottawa Thursday.
"I know Auston’s sitting there. I’m just trying to get my stick in a good spot for it to roll off the toe into the heel, break through to whoever it was, and it hit Auston. Luckily enough, it worked out."
Before Thursday, Matthews hadn't scored a goal since the final game of the regular season. However, it wasn't like he didn't produce in the series. Toronto's captain had three assists in the first two games of the series, and now, with a goal and an assist in Game 3, has five points.
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Why The Maple Leafs Aren't Worried About Auston Matthews' Lack Of Goal Scoring In Series Against SenatorsIt's been two games of the Battle of Ontario, and Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is yet to find the back of the net. It's not, however, from a lack of trying. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was asked on Thursday morning about Matthews' lack of goal scoring, and his response was, "I'm not too worried about Matthews."
Eventually, the 27-year-old was going to find the back of the net. It wouldn't be a series without the three-time Rocket Richard Trophy-winner scoring. This one, though, was big with it coming early in the third period, putting Toronto up 2-1.
"I just had to make it through one guy’s feet and was lucky enough to do it with one touch," Marner said, "and usually when you give him that look, he’s never missing."
After Ottawa tied the game up, Simon Benoit scored in overtime off a faceoff, which Matthews, who was 65 percent in the circle in the game, won over Shane Pinto.
"I think at that point of the game, you just want to simplify things, and you never know what’s going to happen when you throw a puck to the net," said Matthews.
"That’s what we wanted to do was just win the faceoff and just try to get a shot to the net, converge on it, and see what happens. But Benny took care of that and just sniped it right away."
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‘Sometimes It’s Difficult’: Maple Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube Emphasizes Composure, Helping Assistant Marc Savard Stay Grounded During PostseasonToronto Maple Leafs assistant coach Marc Savard has learned from bench boss Craig Berube to keep his composure amid his postseason passion. Who would have predicted that Toronto would be up 3-0 over Ottawa in the series? Playoff experience matters, and with the two overtime goals already, it's showing in the Maple Leafs' favor.
However, winning the fourth game of a series is always the hardest. That's what the Maple Leafs will be looking to do on Saturday, as the Battle of Ontario moves on to Game 4.
"The fourth game is the hardest game to win. We’re going to enjoy this one and then tomorrow we’re going to rest up, do what we need to do get prepared for the fourth game and just continue to put our best foot forward and stay focused, stay dialed in," Matthews said.
"Can’t take our foot off the gas. They’re going to ready to play. They’re going to be a desperate team on Saturday, and we need to be ready with a response."
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