3 most impressive Toronto Maple Leafs players from 4-2 win over Utah HC feat. Mitch Marner 

NHL: Utah at Toronto Maple Leafs - Source: Imagn
NHL: Utah at Toronto Maple Leafs (Image Source: IMAGN)

With the Utah Hockey Club visiting Scotiabank Arena for the first time since their previous identity as the Arizona Coyotes, the Toronto Maple Leafs wanted to make sure it wasn't a visit they'd want to remember.

The Leafs won their fourth straight game, a 3-2 triumph to move to 13-6-2 on the season while Utah fell to 8-10-3.

Logan Cooley started the scoring for the Utah HC with a power play goal late in the opening period. However, Leafs forward Mitch Marner scored twice in just under four minutes in the second period, while a third Toronto tally was added by William Nylander.

It was also a special night for Nylander, as it was his first game playing alongside his brother Alex, whom the Leafs officially signed to a contract last week; he had previously been playing with the American Hockey League affiliate Toronto Marlies.

Jack McBain cut the deficit to one goal in the third period, but Utah couldn't break through with the tying goal.

Overcoming their sluggish start to the game was something that head coach Craig Berube discussed with the team between the first and second periods.

"We just talked about it between periods," Berube explained. "They did a real good job of adjusting and played a great second. We drew some penalties. The power play was excellent. It gave us a lot of momentum. It kind of changed the game."

3 most impressive Toronto Maple Leafs players from 4-2 win over Utah HC

#1. Mitch Marner

Marner has helped the Leafs not miss a beat despite missing Auston Matthews, scoring six goals and six assists in the last seven games combined after Matthews went down with an upper-body injury.

"I think it is business as usual," Berube said of Marner's performance via MapleLeafsHotStove.com. "Even early on in the year, he was playing really good hockey for us in all situations — not just scoring. I find he is shooting a little bit more, which is great. I think he can still shoot more, but he is doing a really good job for us."

The future of Marner with the Leafs remains to be seen, as he's playing in the final year of his contract and can become a highly coveted free agent on July 1.

#2. Joseph Woll

Goaltender Joseph Woll came through when the Leafs needed him most, and helped to fend off Utah's late-game attempts at knotting the score.

His best save came in tight when he extended his left pad to rob Utah's Michael Carcone:

#3. William Nylander

Another of Toronto's "Core 4" of players, Nylander scored what proved to be the game-winner.

The goal was his 14th of the year, and he continues to prove why the Leafs were right to sign him to a hefty eight-year extension last season.

Toronto will look to keep their winning streak going when they face the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on Wednesday.

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Edited by Veer Badani
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