Marner Shines as Nylander Brothers Make History in Maple Leafs’ Victory Over Utah
In a memorable night for the Toronto Maple Leafs, brothers William and Alex Nylander etched their names in the franchise’s history books, while Mitch Marner delivered a stellar performance to secure a 3-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Sunday. The win extended Toronto’s streak to four and marked the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
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Marner’s Unstoppable Form
Mitch Marner was the star of the night, scoring twice during a dominant second period. His remarkable performance continues a hot streak in the absence of captain Auston Matthews, sidelined with an upper-body injury. Over the past eight games, Marner has tallied six goals and eight assists, including multi-point games in seven of those matches. His 11 multi-point games this season rank just behind Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov, who leads the league with 12.
Teammates and coaches alike praised Marner’s consistent brilliance. “He’s an elite player who brings so much to our team,” said John Tavares, who assisted on Marner’s first goal with a pinpoint pass. “Whether it’s making plays, scoring goals, or his leadership in the locker room, we’re really lucky to have him.”
Marner’s two goals also brought his career tally to 202, surpassing Syl Apps for 14th place on the Leafs’ all-time goal list.
The Nylander Brothers Unite
Sunday’s game was especially historic, as it marked the first time brothers William and Alex Nylander played together for the Maple Leafs. This was a momentous occasion for the franchise, as the last time siblings suited up together for the Leafs was in 1987, with Peter and Miroslav Ihnacak. The Nylanders became the 13th set of brothers to play for the team and the fifth to take the ice together.
Alex Nylander, called up from the AHL Marlies earlier this week, made his debut with the Leafs and even joined William on the power play during the first period.
“The entire day was special,” William Nylander shared. “Seeing him out there felt surreal at first, but then it became normal.”
For Alex, it was a dream come true. “It’s something I’ll remember forever,” he said.
The brothers had a unique journey to the game, taking the subway due to downtown Toronto being packed for the Santa Claus parade. Even Utah’s players had to abandon their bus and walk the final blocks to Scotiabank Arena.
Photo credit: Toronto Maple Leafs
Second-Period Surge Secures Victory
Despite a slow start that saw Toronto trailing 1-0 after the first period, the team turned the game around in the second. Three goals in a span of just over five minutes, including Marner’s two strikes and a tally from William Nylander, gave the Leafs a commanding lead.
Utah’s Logan Cooley and Jack McBain managed to score, with McBain’s third-period goal narrowing the gap to 3-2, but Toronto held firm. Goalie Joseph Woll made 25 saves, helping the Leafs improve to an impressive 10-3-0 record at home—leading the league in home victories.
Looking Ahead
Toronto (13-6-2) now heads on the road, facing the Florida Panthers on Wednesday and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Utah (8-10-3) concludes its road trip with a game in Montreal on Tuesday.
As the Maple Leafs continue to build momentum, the combination of Marner’s elite play and the historic connection of the Nylander brothers promises an exciting chapter for fans and players alike.
