Marner shines, Nylander scores two in Maple Leafs’ home-opening win

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Published Oct 12, 2024  •  2 minute read

While Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins (left) and Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs have produced plenty of offence in their NHL careers, the two combined for only one point -- a Crosby assist -- in Toronto's 4-2 win on Oct. 12, 2024. Photo by Claus Andersen /Getty Images

Mitch Marner sent ’em home happy on Saturday night.

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In the Maple Leafs’ home opener, the star winger had a goal and an assist to move up a notch on the franchise scoring list as Toronto beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 at Scotiabank Arena.

Marner, who had an assist earlier in the game, scored the winner at 2:12 of the third period when he sped down the wing and fooled Penguins goalie Joel Blomqvist with a shot to the far side of the net.

William Nylander scored two goals, including one into an empty net in the final minute, and goaltender Anthony Stolarz made 21 saves for the Leafs.

With two points, Marner has 641 in his career, moving him one past Ron Ellis for seventh on the franchise list.

The Leafs took a 2-1 lead after scoring two goals in a span of two minutes three seconds early in the second period.

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At 50 seconds, Nylander scored his first of the season when Max Domi set him up on a 2-on-0 break. The Leafs got the rare opportunity after an errant Penguins pass, coupled with a Pittsburgh line change, set the two Leafs in alone.

Matthew Knies put Toronto up at 2:53 when the puck bounced off the end boards, off the side of the net and onto his stick. Knies didn’t hesitate, beating Blomqvist with a quick shot.

Toronto failed to scored on three power plays, running their futility to 0-for-9 in three games to start 2024-25.

The Leafs were without centre John Tavares, who missed the game because of illness. Ryan Reaves, a healthy scratch in New Jersey on Thursday, drew back into the lineup.

The Penguins had a 1-0 lead after one period, and given the Leafs’ sloppy ways in the defensive zone in the first 20 minutes, Toronto was fortunate it was not in a bigger hole.

Kris Letang wired a shot past Stolarz at 10:58 during a Penguins power play, taking advantage of an open lane after Leafs penalty killer Pontus Holmberg stumbled.

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