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Honest hockey has been integral in streaks for Maple Leafs’ Marner, Stars’ Robertson

Mitchell Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 7, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Mitchell Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 7, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Claus Andersen /Getty Images

DALLAS — Mitch Marner’s 19-game scoring streak?

Yes, Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson knows about it.

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“Doesn’t matter me,” Robertson said on Tuesday. “I have my own. They’re hot right now, so it’s important to know who is on the ice tonight.”

Robertson wasn’t being flippant, speaking with some dry humour following the Stars’ morning skate at the American Airlines Center. 

Robertson’s run has been just as impressive, if not more, as what Marner has done for the Maple Leafs. Marner has gathered 26 points in his 19-game charge, scoring nine goals and recording 17 assists to break the Leafs record. 

Robertson has 34 points on his 18-game streak, scoring 21 goals and adding 13 assists. 

It’s the first time in NHL history that two players on a point streak of at least 18 games will play in the same game. 

Stars coach Peter DeBoer, while acknowledging he has not watched the Leafs much lately other than to prepare for the meeting on Tuesday night, figured there was a common thread in what Robertson and Marner are doing.

“(Robertson) has done it without cheating (for offence),” DeBoer 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.”

Both clubs are playing winning hockey. The Leafs have lost once in regulation in their past 17 games, going 11-1-5, and not since Nov. 11. The Stars are 6-1-4 in their past 11.

In the only other game between the teams in 2022-23, Nick Robertson scored in overtime to give the Leafs a 3-2 win in Toronto on Oct. 20.

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.

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“It’s staying mentally strong, mentally tough,” Jason Robertson 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.”

Semyon Der-Arguchintsev will make his NHL debut for the Leafs, playing on the fourth line with centre Pontus Holmberg and Zach Aston-Reese.

“I always like seeing guys get rewarded for performing well no matter what their role is in the organization,” Leafs defenceman Justin Holl said. “He is really poised. He does not panic with the puck, makes good plays and has good patience. We’re looking forward to getting him in the lineup and him helping the squad.”

On the Leafs blue line, Conor Timmins, a veteran of 41 NHL games with Colorado and Arizona, will make his Toronto debut. Timmins will be paired with Victor Mete, and it will be a reunion of sorts, as the two played together as a pair for Canada at the 2018 world junior championship.

Leafs goalie Matt Murray takes a career record of 3-1-1 with a .932 against the Stars into the game.

Jake Oettinger will make his second career start against the Leafs. He’s 0-1 with a .923 save percentage in his only appearance versus Toronto, which came last March 15 at Scotiabank Arena.

tkoshan@postmedia.com

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