A soaking wet Toronto Maple Leafs dressing room floor is always a positive omen. It means someone got a congratulatory post-game shower. If we set aside any snickering judgments on whether a team that can’t escape the first round of the playoffs should keep unofficially crowning guys for regular-season milestones, it’s a nice tradition from a closely knit team that finds fun in the little things.
Last season? The showers were typically reserved for Auston Matthews, who torched the franchise record books. He delivered the Leafs’ first 50-goal season in almost three decades; beat Rick Vaive’s single-season team record of 54 goals; and became the first NHLer in 10 years to score 60 in a season. Those accomplishments were stepping stones en route to him winning the Hart Trophy, becoming the first Leaf to do so since Ted Kennedy in 1955. It was Matthews’ year, to say the least.
But the shower wasn’t reserved for him Wednesday night after the Leafs’ 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks, which finished off an 11-1-3 November. This time, it was Mitch Marner’s turn. He earned the honor after he recorded a point in his 18th straight game, equalling the franchise mark shared by Darryl Sittler and Ed Olcyzk. It was a white-knuckle ride to 18, as Marner passed up an empty net to feed a not-open Michael Bunting, then missed an attempt at the yawning cage before finally burying the puck with 1:11 to go.
“Did you see me? I can’t wait to talk to my father. He’s going to be like, ‘What the hell were you doing on that pass?’ ” said Marner, who noted that his teammates were trying to feed him with the net empty. “Big Mike on the bench right away looked at me and couldn’t believe I tried to pass it to him. He was pissed at me to be honest.”
“The first two tries was like, ‘What are you doin? Just put it in the net and let’s go home, let’s get this over with,” Matthews joked. “We were having some fun there and laughing. Just really happy it ended up going in. I know it means a lot and obviously him being from here, it’s got to be special. We’re all so happy for him and he’s just a huge part of this team and does so much stuff for us.”
Leafs fans at regular-season home games are known for their morgue-like quietness. But no one ever doubts their hockey knowledge. They rank among the league’s best in that regard, and they understood exactly what was happening during the final couple minutes. With the net empty, they were as engaged and raucous as they were all game, fully aware that the streak was on the line. When Marner finally converted, they gave him a standing ovation.
“That meant a lot,” Marner said. “We were talking yesterday about family being there, and I’ve got my family here. Obviously they’re not beside me but I’m sure they’re in the crowd loving that moment, too, and taking it in with me. It was a special moment to grow up in this city, be a huge fan of this team, and to have my name with a couple unbelievable players it’s pretty special. A kid growing up wouldn’t have expected this, and it’s now kind of a reality.”