Marner extends point streak to 18 games, ties team record in Maple Leafs win

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner tied a franchise record with a point in 18 consecutive games en route to a 3-1 win against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday.

With his third-period empty net goal, Marner tied Daryl Sittler (1978) and Eddie Olczyk (1989-1990) for the longest streak in Leafs’ history.

18 STRAIGHT AND A PIECE OF LEAFS HISTORY! ???? pic.twitter.com/7VbkZkoEAR

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) December 1, 2022

Marner got a standing ovation from the Leafs’ faithful after the goal, his eighth of the season. Pierre Engvall and Auston Matthews also scored for Toronto. Matt Nieto scored the lone goal for the Sharks.

The 25-year-old is the 23rd player in NHL history with a point streak of at least 18 contests. Marner entered with six goals and 17 assists during his 17-game stretch.

Järnkrok leaves game with groin injury

Goalie Ilya Samsonov made his return after missing close to a month with a knee injury, stopping 23 of 24 shots for his seventh win. Calle Järnkrok left Wednesday’s game early with a groin injury and did not return.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe said postgame that Järnkrok was expected to miss some time with the injury.

The Maple Leafs have been hit hard by the injury bug this season, as a slew of defenceman, including Morgan Rielly, T.J. Brodie, Jake Muzzin and Jordie Benn, all remain out.

The Leafs held a 21-second moment of silence for franchise icon Börje Salming, who was living with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, and died last week at 71.

All proceeds of the team’s reverse retro jerseys sold Wednesday will go to ALS Action Canada.

The sweaters worn by Toronto players against San Jose are set to be auctioned off in Salming’s memory for the charity.

The Maple Leafs (15-5-5) have now won five-straight games and are 8-2 in their last 10. Toronto will have a few days off before playing the Tampa Bay Lightning on the road on Saturday.

With files from Joshua Clipperton of The Canadian Press