DALLAS — Peter DeBoer could see the similarities in Jason Robertson and Mitch Marner.
It wasn’t just that the two were on eye-opening streaks heading into the game between the Dallas Stars and Maple Leafs on Tuesday night.
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It was the manner in which Robertson, who was on an 18-game run, and Marner, who was on a 19-game heater, were doing their jobs.
“(Robertson) has done it without cheating (for offence),” DeBoer, the Stars’ coach, said. “He is not floating around.
“I don’t think Marner and cheating go in the same sentence. He’s as honest a player there is. He blocks shots, kills penalties, defensively is really good.”
Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe knew where DeBoer was coming from.
“Because it’s coming in all areas of the game, Marner gives our group confidence, gives our group life,” Keefe said. “As the season approaches Christmas and even though we have a long way to go, it’s something that you can attach yourself to.
“Certainly, when you have a player like Mitch who makes a difference in so many areas of the game, it’s another great thing for your team to have.”
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING
The Robertson brothers got together at Jason’s house on Monday night and were joined by their mother, Mercedes.
Jason Robertson was confident that Nick, younger by two years, can keep a spot in the Leafs lineup.
“It’s staying mentally strong, mentally tough,” Jason said. “That’s something that he has (going) for him. He is mentally tough and definitely the hardest working player probably in that organization, in my opinion. It’s all going to work out for him in the end.”
Entering Tuesday, Nick had not scored a goal in his previous 12 games.
What can Nick pick up from his big brother as he tries to ensure he can stay in the National Hockey League?
“We both have good shots, but one thing I can take away from him is his confidence with the puck and shooting it,” Nick said. “That’s one thing I look at, is that he’s shooting a lot, finding ways to get shots at the net, finding ways to score.”
Nick wasn’t surprised that Jason has been running through NHL opponents seemingly at will. In the Ontario Hockey League, Jason had seasons of 42 goals and 41 goals with the Kingston Frontenacs before scoring 48 in 2018-19 with Kingston and Niagara.
“It’s what he does,” Nick said. “I’ve seen it at every level, whether it’s when he was younger, in junior and now. I’m not really shocked by it. I know he can produce, but the one thing is his point streak, which is really amazing, especially at this level.”
Jason Robertson’s 23 goals were in the most in the NHL though games on Monday. Only Edmonton’s Connor McDavid (22) and Vancouver’s Bo Horvat (20) had also scored at least 20.
SDA APPROVED
The Leafs players were happy to see forward Semyon Der-Arguchintsev’s path to the NHL culminate with his first game on Tuesday.
“I always like seeing guys get rewarded for performing well, no matter what their role is in the organization,” defenceman Justin Holl said. “He is really poised. He does not panic with the puck, makes good plays and has good patience.”
Said captain John Tavares: “He can see the game one or two steps ahead. His ability to find the open man and the ability to pass through seams and through bodies or sticks is really good.”
Der-Arguchintsev was one of three Leafs in the lineup who were drafted by Toronto in Dallas in 2018. Defenceman Rasmus Sandin was the club’s first-round pick at No. 29, and after Der-Arguchintsev was taken 76th, centre Pontus Holmberg was selected with the 156th pick. Defenceman Mac Hollowell, who was a healthy scratch, was taken 118th by the Leafs that year.
LOOSE LEAFS
The Leafs won’t practise on Wednesday before meeting the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena to start a three-game home stand … Ilya Samsonov, slated to start in goal against the Kings, would be appearing in his 99th career NHL game and going for his 60th win. Versus the Kings, Samsonov has a 2-1-0 record with a .942 save percentage. One of his six career shutouts came against Los Angeles … When winger Calle Jarnkrok is deemed fit to from a groin injury, his next game will be his 600th in the NHL. Including Tuesday, Jarnkrok has missed the past two games.
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