Marner letting loose during hot streak

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

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The Maple Leafs (optional) and Carolina Hurricanes skated at Scotiabank Arena on Monday. 

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Mitch Marner found a way to stay hot during the All-Star break. The winger travelled to Miami alongside teammates Justin Holl, Petr Mrazek, Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren. 

"It's always good to get away and relax your mind and relax your body and just enjoy some sun," Marner said. "As you guys all know, it hasn't been the nicest weather here."

Marner did acknowledge that the timing of the break was "unfortunate" considering he's riding the longest goal streak of his National Hockey League career. Marner has eight goals and eight assists in seven games since returning from the COVID protocol. 

Since entering the NHL, Marner has always spoken about wanting to shoot more, but something seems to have finally clicked. 

"The difference is I'm not really focusing on clean shots," Marner explained. "I'm not afraid to try to just whack one or something like that and just kind of get it towards the net and surprise someone."

"He's so deceptive when he's got the puck," observed linemate Auston Matthews. "We've seen it the last couple games, him being able to beat the goaltender clean. He's got a great shot. He might need to get a little more juice on it, but he's really accurate and deceptive. He can catch the goalie or defenceman or whoever's defending him off guard sometimes."

Marner is an elite playmaker and skating alongside Matthews, the reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner, you can understand why he's usually thinking pass. Lately, though, Marner is being a bit more selfish. 

"Not overthinking the shot is such a big thing for goal scorers," said coach Sheldon Keefe. "He's just letting it