Marner's game winner against Red Wings extends point streak to 17 games
Toronto forward sits 1 game shy of Darryl Sittler's single-season franchise record
Auston Matthews and William Nylander scored 51 seconds apart in the first period, Mitch Marner extended his point streak to 17 games and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Red Wings 4-2 in Detroit Monday night.
Marner's 17-game point streak is one shy of the single-season Maple Leafs record set by Darryl Sittler during the 1977-78 season and matched 12 years later by Ed Olczyk.
Rasmus Sandin also scored and Matt Murray made 38 saves for the Maple Leafs, who have won a season-high four straight — all on the road — and earned a point in nine consecutive games.
"It was our best game of the trip," coach Kyle Dubas said. "Our goaltender was outstanding as it has been all trip. The way he's playing, if he sees it, he's stopping it."
WATCH | Marner's goal elevates point streak to 17 games:
Moritz Seider had an early goal for Detroit, finishing a four-shot flurry, but the lead didn't last long. Matthews' wrist shot beat Ville Husso glove side a few minutes later and Nylander scored on a power play to put the Maple Leafs ahead 2-1 midway through the first period.
Sandin put Toronto up 4-1 midway through the period, chasing Husso.
Detroit's breakout goalie was pulled from a game for the first time this season after giving up four goals on 13 shots. He entered with an NHL-high three shutouts, matching his previous career total.
Alex Nedeljkovic entered in relief and stopped all 10 shots he faced for the Red Wings, who had won a season-best four consecutive games.
Midway through the third, Seider's shot was redirected by teammate Adam Erne in front to pull the Red Wings within two.
Detroit pulled Nedeljkovic late for an extra skater, but couldn't score against a team missing banged-up players on the blue-line such as Morgan Rielly and T.J. Brodie.
"We talked about tightening up our defence, and we've done a good job of it," Marner said.
