Expertly Crafted: Marner's magical goal showcases outrageous talent
Mitch Marner's become the No. 1 attraction at Air Canada Centre.
He scored the most spectacular goal of his burgeoning career Thursday on former Maple Leafs netminder James Reimer, exhibiting the enormous, multi-faceted attacking talent that made him a can't-miss prospect coming out of junior.
How it Happened
With a full complement of defenders back in position, the Maple Leafs induce a weak shot on goal, and it's kicked out in a safe area along the side boards for James van Riemsdyk to retrieve.
As the forwards peel off quick, Florida's in a good position to reclaim the puck with Van Riemsdyk collecting it with little time or space to make a play. But with Marner darting through the center, he's able to create a 50-50 puck-retrieval scenario for his linemate with a flick into neutral ice.
Caught further up ice then he should have been, Panthers defender Michael Matheson makes a fatal error in trying to stab at the puck in mid-air.
Matheson whiffs, and the puck drops between he and Marner as he pivots on the Maple Leafs' side of the red line.
Transitioning quickly into forward skating position, Matheson gives himself a fighting chance with the diminutive Leafs rookie steaming through the middle. But Marner wedges his frame into the body of Matheson, gaining separation from a desperate defender who doesn't have wingspan to reach around and knock it clear.
The contact knocks Marner off his direct line to the net, but while he regains his balance, his complete focus is on care for the puck, and he's able to corral it with impeccable control.
Matheson is still on Marner's back, but the rookie is now on a direct path to the net from the hashmarks in.
Marner jams his right skate into the ice, freezing Reimer as he shields the puck, and pulls it to his backhand. He's now right on top of the netminder, so Reimer has to attack the puck. He slides right to seal off one side, and is committed to what he believes will be a backhand attempt on goal.
But when Reimer's head drops, Marner has now slammed both skates into the ice and pulled the puck through the blue paint onto his forehand side.
There, Marner has the entire net to deposit his seventh goal of the season.
Then, that exuberance takes control.
Prior to his rookie season, there was concern Marner may struggle to engineer consistent offense. This wonderful goal is proof that slight positional mistakes is all that's needed for his instincts and creativity to shine at the highest level.
(Images courtesy: NHL.com)