Tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Carolina Hurricanes in a game that carries both team and personal significance. With a win, the Maple Leafs could solidify their position atop the Atlantic Division—but for Mitch Marner, there’s more on the line. Just three months ago, in this same arena against this same Hurricanes team, Marner endured the worst game of his season: a brutal minus-6 performance that still lingers.
Now, with 98 points and just two shy of the elusive 100-point milestone, tonight presents a rare chance for redemption. Could this be the perfect moment for Marner to rewrite the narrative — and cross a career-defining threshold on the very ice where he hit rock bottom?
Marner Has Become a Cornerstone of the Maple Leafs’ Success
Marner has long been a cornerstone of the Maple Leafs’ offense, consistently delivering high-caliber performances since his NHL debut in the 2016–17 season. Over the years, he has steadily elevated his game, culminating in a career-high 99 points during the 2022–23 season. Part of Marner’s career success is his partnership with Auston Matthews.
The Maple Leafs created one of the best top lines in the entire NHL this season. To the partnership of Matthews and Marner, the team added a young, physical power forward in Matthew Knies. He’s bumping up to 30 goals. The blend of skills and physicality on this first line makes defending it particularly difficult, which can be shown in their success.
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As a result, in 2024–25, Marner has continued his upward point production. He now has 98 points through 78 games and is again proving why he’s considered one of the NHL’s elite forwards. His blend of playmaking, high hockey IQ, on-ice vision, defensive reliability, and versatility has made him an indispensable part of the Maple Leafs’ lineup.
While he’s yet to crack the elusive 100-point mark, this season has brought him as close as ever, turning that personal milestone into one of the most closely watched storylines of the team’s final stretch. He’s bumping right up to the edge of triple digits with three games remaining. Can he do it? Let’s look at his season and wonder why tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes might be the perfect night to jump the 100-point milestone.
Marner Starts the 2024-25 Season with a Playmaking Spark
Marner opened the season with a steady rhythm, flashing his playmaking ability early. Though October included a few quieter nights, he picked up steam through November, delivering a string of multi-point games that set the tone for his season. Specifically, he registered three assists in a standout performance against the Boston Bruins on Oct. 26. A few weeks later, he delivered a 2-goal game against the Utah Hockey Club on Nov. 24 and a strong showing against the Washington Capitals on Nov. 13.
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Marner consistently drove the offense throughout the fall, even when he wasn’t scoring himself. His ability to create space, thread passes through traffic, and produce on the power play remained elite. Combining his time on the ice at even strength and with the man advantage, Marner logged over 20 minutes a night and made his presence felt in every aspect of the game.
As the Calendar Turns, Marner Finds Another Gear
The season’s turning point came just after the holiday break. On Jan. 4, in a 6–4 win over Boston, Marner exploded for five points (a goal and four assists)—a game that sparked a dominant stretch of play. His season has been highlighted by his ability to record multi-point games regularly, his strong chemistry with his linemates, and his ability to show up and take over in key games.
That said, one of the more striking performances came just after Christmas. On Dec. 27, visiting the Detroit Red Wings, Marner scored three goals. It was a reminder that while he’s best known for setting up his linemates, he can as easily finish plays himself. Just last night, his goal 36 seconds into the overtime period allowed his Maple Leafs to skate away with a tough 1-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens that secured the team’s home-ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
From early January through mid-February, Marner was a fixture among the NHL’s top point producers, posting strong plus/minus numbers and logging extensive minutes on both special teams.
Marner Slumps in March, But Pushes Back
March brought a brief dip in production. Between March 13 and March 22, Marner put up only a single point over five games. It was a tough stretch, including a scoreless night against the Florida Panthers and a minus-2 outing at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers.
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Still, he didn’t disappear. Despite a scoring drought, Marner ate up big minutes against top competition, effectively killed penalties, and showed up in his defensive assignments. Scoring or not, his play made him valuable regardless of the numbers on the stat sheet.
Marner Gears Up for a Strong Finish and a Push to the Century Mark
As the calendar turned to April, Marner rediscovered his offense. In the 10-game span from March 25 to April 12, he scored 13 points—including a four-point game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 9 and (as noted) the game-winning goal in a 1–0 shutout of Montreal last night.
(Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
He registered points in eight of those ten games. Whether through a slick cross-ice pass or a needed puck retrieval on the forecheck, Marner wasn’t coasting into the postseason. His late-season surge has been central to the Maple Leafs’ push for playoff positioning and his pursuit of a career-defining milestone. He’s leading his team.
Marner’s Special Teams and Defensive Contributions
Marner’s value can be shown beyond traditional scoring numbers. This season, he’s registered over 15 power-play assists, recorded a shorthanded goal and assist, and logged big minutes as one of the Maple Leafs’ top penalty killers. There have been times when he’s played over seven minutes shorthanded in a single game.
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His ability to handle top defensive matchups, take faceoffs in key moments, and manage the puck under pressure shows his evolution into a true two-way star. Some nights brought standout stat lines—like a plus-5 against Boston. However, he’s also suffered tough nights, like on Jan. 9, when he was on the ice for every goal against (a horrible minus-6 rating) in a 6–3 loss in Carolina (where the team plays tonight). Still, through all the ups and downs, Marner remained one of the most trusted and heavily leaned-on players in Toronto’s lineup.
Will Marner Hit the 100-Point Mark This Season?
Marner’s 2024–25 campaign with the Maple Leafs has been consistent, creative, and brilliant. Through the ups and downs of a long season, he’s helped fuel the team to success. He’s put up his own points and has helped shut down opponents on the penalty kill. He’s delivered in the clutch. Whether spotting William Nylander for a breakaway chance or scoring a quick goal to end an overtime game, Marner’s shown why he belongs in the conversation about the NHL’s best 200-foot superstars.
His chase of the 100-point milestone has followed him for years. He came close with 94 points in 2018–19, nearly cracked it with 97 in 2021–22, and painfully fell one point short in 2022–23. The stage is set again with 98 points and three games left. As the Maple Leafs prepare to face the Hurricanes tonight, fans watch for the win and Marner’s moment. Can he remember the debacle of being on the ice for all six goals against just three months ago? Will it fuel him to cross the hundred-point mark as early as tonight’s game?
Crossing the century mark would be a well-earned recognition of one of the most impactful, consistent, and complete players the Maple Leafs have had in the modern era. If this season is any indication, it’s only a matter of time. But, wouldn’t tonight’s game—given the season’s history—be the perfect time?
