For the first time in 24 games, Mitch Marner didn’t get a point. The New York Rangers muzzled him along with the other big guns of the Toronto Maple Leafs in Thursday’s 3-1 win at Madison Square Garden.
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The Ontario winger’s winning streak ended with 23 duels, a record for the Leafs. Marner has 11 goals and 31 points since the last game he didn’t eclipse on Oct. 24 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Marner and Auston Matthews saw their eight attempts blocked in the day’s duel by an Igor Shesterkin in full possession. The final recipient of the Vézina Trophy only winced in front of Michael Bunting and made 22 saves to sign the win.
Defenseman Conor Timmins, who was acquired by the Arizona Coyotes three weeks ago, also recorded his fifth assist in as many games with the Leafs.
As with the Leafs, it wasn’t the Rangers’ attacking stars that set the pace of the game. Jimmy Vesey threaded the needle twice while Filip Chytil opened the scoring on the power play.
It is the first regular loss for the Maple Leafs in 16 games. They will visit Washington on Saturday to face the capitals. Alexander Ovechkin could draw level with Gordie Howe (801 goals) in this duel.
As for them, the Rangers have been in full action for the past ten days. They’ve won their last five games against big names: the New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights and St. Louis Blues.
The “Blueshirts” want to continue this momentum against the Flyers in Philadelphia on Saturday.