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On December 19, 1917, the Toronto Arenas began their inaugural season with a 10-9 loss to the Montreal Wanderers. On the 100th anniversary, the Toronto Maple Leafs began their second century in a more auspicious fashion, walloping the Carolina Hurricanes 8-1 at Air Canada Centre and snapping a three-game losing streak.
It was a remarkable change of fortune and style for the Maple Leafs, who were averaging just over a goal-per-game in the month of December, but wearing their throwback Arenas jersey, Toronto played with an offensive flourish reminiscent of the opening month, as they matched their highest offensive output of the season.
Mitch Marner and Tyler Bozak each registered a goal and three assists, Leo Komarov, James van Riemsdyk, Patrick Marleau, Kasperi Kapanen, William Nylander and Connor Carrick also scored for the Leafs, and Frederik Andersen made 32 saves for his 18th win of the season.
As requested, the full sequence of Marner's setup on Bozak's goal. pic.twitter.com/YY5mVRLRG5
— Flintor (@TheFlintor) December 19, 2017
The night saw a number of Leafs struggling to break out of slumps find the mark against Carolina’s Scott Darling. Toronto got off to a quick start as Komarov snapped an eight game pointless streak with the first Leafs short-handed goal of the season less than three minutes into the game.
Defenseman Roman Polak provided a spark that extended the Toronto lead, slamming Canes forward Marcus Kruger into the boards and drawing a retaliatory minor from Josh Jooris. The ensuing power play saw Marner go through the Canes defense and beat Darling off the far post.
Jeff Skinner narrowed the lead to 2-1, the Leafs went back on the attack again, as Bozak and Marner assisted on van Riemsdyk’s club-leading 16th goal and combined for Bozak’s 7th of the season.
After a scoreless middle frame, the Leafs played disciplined defensively to preserve their lead in the third and extended the margin with goals from Marleau and Kapanen six seconds apart, followed by late tallies from Nylander and Carrick.
“I thought Mitch was really going. It was a good night for the guys. Leo scored, he hasn't scored in forever. Mitch scored, he hasn't scored in forever. Willy scored, he hasn't scored in forever. Carrick scored, he hasn't scored in forever. Who else? Kapanen scored, he hasn't been in the league.… Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said after the game. “That part was obviously good for our team.…
With the victory, the Leafs ended the home portion of their December schedule with a perfect 3-0 record. The road has not been as kind to Toronto, with a 1-4 record so far and five away games to finish off 2017.
Toronto plays the Blue Jackets on Wednesday at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus in the second of back-to-back games and Babcock confirmed that backup Curtis McElhinney will get the start.
Auston Mathews skated for a fourth straight day on Wednesday and travelled with the club, but the Leafs head coach stated that there will be no changes in the lineup against the Blue Jackets.
Columbus will start backup Joonas Korpisalo after starter Sergei Bobrovsky allowed seven goals against Boston and defenseman Zach Werenski will not play due to an unspecified injury.
Patrick and his boys after dinner, before the epic mini stick battle. Ha ha for helping with our elf on a shelf @Marner93 @AM34 pic.twitter.com/SYA7n9tw8w
— Christina Marleau (@c_marleau) December 19, 2017
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