While the New York Rangers routed the New York Islanders on Tuesday, the Rangers now shift their attention to hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs in order to keep their spot alive in the race for the playoffs.
The Maple Leafs (36-20-2) visit the New York Rangers (29-25-4) at Madison Square Garden on Friday, February 28, with both coming off a victory in their last game. Records aside, Mitch Marner is obviously the opposing team's player to watch ahead of the Feb. 28th matchup.
Mitch Marner
The right wing is currently the Toronto team leader with 73 total point so far this season. Marner has scored 18 goals and tallied 55 assists — putting him tied for fifth with most points in the NHL for 2024-25 as of publication. Marner has 10 more points than the next offensive producer for the Maple Leafs. Teammate William Nylander trails Marner (58) by 15 points.
Marner, who was selected by Toronto with the No. 4 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, made the NHL All-Rookie team in 2016-17 after finishing with 61 points (19 goals, 42 assists) in 77 games and helping the Maple Leafs qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2013. He was drafted so high in part due to the fact that he compensates for his lack of size (6 foot, 175 pounds) with his speed, passing ability, creativity, feistiness and nose for the net.
The Ontario, Canada native reached the 500-point milestone within the past two years during his 467th game, second-fewest in Maple Leafs history during a 4-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 7, 2023. Auston Matthews is the only Maple Leafs member to have reached the milestone faster than Marner; Matthews did it in 445 games.
Most recently, Marner was named to Canada's roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off during the 2024-25 season. No.16 scored 6:06 into overtime to give Canada a 4-3 win against Sweden in the opening game Feb. 12.
How to Tune In
In order to watch how the Rangers attempt to shut out Marner, Blueshirt fans will have to turn to Fubo or Sling TV on Friday. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m. EST at Madison Square Garden. The game is a must-win for New York as the Rangers are only four points behind Detroit and/or the Columbus Blue Jackets for a potential Wild Card spot.