The Toronto Maple Leafs have plenty of reasons to feel jolly as we approach the thick of the holiday season.
They haven’t lost in regulation in over a month, and catalyst Mitch Marner – who is riding a franchise-record 22-game point streak – is feeling himself on and off the ice.
On Tuesday, Marner discussed the atmosphere around the locker room during this electrifying stretch along with several other topics in an interview on Going Deep with Donnovan Bennett.
“It's been a lot of fun,” said the Leafs’ assistant captain. “I'm always trying to enjoy the moments, enjoy everything going on, enjoy being around my teammates and enjoying the competition.”
There’s been a lot to enjoy as of late for the Buds, though it’s been particularly enjoyable for the Greater Toronto Area native, who has 30 points in the last 22 games, including the game-winning overtime goal in his side’s most recent win over the Calgary Flames.
Fans of all stripes are letting themselves feel excited again, including Justin Bieber and his show-stealing Care Bears-inspired coat. The Biebs was even lured from his regular box seats to the platinum section for a recent game against the Kings.
“He's a great dude, he loves our team, he loves the guys in our locker room,” said Marner. “We’re thankful to have him as a fan and it was great to see him at that last game.”
Though Marner’s recent play has pushed him into the Hart Trophy conversation, his routine hasn’t wavered; he takes the same route to the arena, has the same game day meals, and he and the rest of the locker room are subject to the same "Big Booty Mix" before games, courtesy of Michael Bunting’s trusty AUX cord.
But that isn’t to say his routine is ordinary, as Marner and his teammates remain advocates of the "look good, play good" lifestyle.
“We got a lot of guys with some great, crazy minds (in terms of fashion), so you never know what you're going to get,” said the 25-year-old. “You're always going to get chirped for whatever you're wearing, and it's always going to be a lot of fun.”
Marner and the Leafs look to continue their winning ways against the Anaheim Ducks at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
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