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The Toronto Maple Leafs were on fire Wednesday night, securing a 6-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings at Scotiabank Arena. The Maple Leafs dominated from the start, with an explosive first period and critical contributions from some key players — Auston Matthews, Bobby McMann, Mitch Marner, and Anthony Stolarz. The win lifts the Maple Leafs’ record to 3-1, giving them momentum as they look ahead to a big test against the New York Rangers on Saturday.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the standout performances from the Maple Leafs vs. Kings game.
Quick Hit One: Bobby McMann – Two-Goal Performance for Leafs
Bobby McMann continued his hot start to the season by scoring twice in the first period. McMann showed his sharp finishing ability, with both goals coming on just two shots. His skill helped the Maple Leafs jump to an early lead. The 27-year-old forward has had three goals in his last three games and continues to show he can become a reliable player for Toronto’s bottom six.
Quick Hit Two: Finally, Auston Matthews Puts Up a Multiple-Point Game
Auston Matthews finally broke through after a slow start to the season. His three-point night included a goal and two assists. Matthews’ power-play assists set up key goals from William Nylander and John Tavares, while his goal came at even strength in the first period. His strong outing signaled a return to form, and he’ll look to build on this momentum heading into Saturday’s game against the New York Rangers.
Quick Hit Three: Anthony Stolarz Has Another Stellar Game
Anthony Stolarz delivered another solid performance between the pipes, stopping 32 of 34 shots. Stolarz’s calmness in the net was crucial in weathering the Kings’ pressure, especially in the second and third periods. He’s been a reliable option in goal with a stellar .941 save percentage through three starts. His recent form should give head coach Craig Berube confidence. Fans should look for him to start again on Saturday.
Quick Hit Four: Mitch Marner Shows He’s a Great Playmaker
Mitch Marner was the engine behind Toronto’s offensive surge. He racked up three assists on the night, including two on the power play. His smart passes helped set up goals for Matthews, Nylander, and Tavares. Say what you want about Marner’s coming contract; he’s already showing his elite playmaking skills. Marner has tallied five points in his last two games and will aim to continue being a key assist man as the season progresses.
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
The Maple Leafs will face a much tougher test on Saturday when they host the Rangers in a tough Hockey Night in Canada match. New York’s star goalie Igor Shesterkin, one of the league’s top netminders, will look to shut down Toronto’s offense. The Maple Leafs must clean up their second-period lapses and rely on their top stars to crack the Rangers’ strong defense.
Toronto is winning. However, with Shesterkin in goal, they’ll need to continue their solid defense if they hope to keep their winning streak alive.
More must-reads:
- Carter Hart, others found not guilty in Hockey Canada sexual assault trial
- Hurricanes take care of business, sign star winger to lucrative eight-year extension
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
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Top NHL Analyst Provides Update on Canucks Possible Offer Sheet for Two Star Players
Top NHL analyst Stephan Roget of 'Canucks Army' believes the Canucks could definitely offer sheet Mason McTavish or Marco Rossi, but they likely won't. Offer sheets remain one of the less common NHL deals, so a midsummer offer sheet from the Vancouver Canucks would remain highly unlikely. The player must be a restricted free agent (RFA) to be offer-sheet eligible, and come mid-July, there are not many remaining who are. Two of them are strong possibilities for whom the Canucks would consider making an offer sheet: Anaheim Ducks' Mason McTavish and Minnesota Wild's Marco Rossi. And offer sheets are a two-part process. Your team has to first make an offer. And then there has to be acceptance of a player before his current team is in a position to counter. That is uncertainty enough. Any offer sheet from the Canucks would have to be at least $11.7 million per year The Canucks would only be able to give Mason McTavish or Marco Rossi at the absolute highest compensation level, above $11.7 million annually. That would cost four protected first-rounders across five drafts to the Canucks. While both Rossi and McTavish would certainly appreciate an offer of this nature, whether either is truly worth this kind of investment of this size, especially for Vancouver, a club not comfortably in a playoff position, is questionable. 'As it stands, the Canucks are still eligible to make offer sheets to McTavish and Rossi - but only certain offer sheets. 'Whether it's realistic to expect a mid-summer offer sheet from the Canucks, is no'. - Stephan Roget Bottom line: While theoretically, a Canucks summer offer sheet is conceivable, too high a price, in cap space and future equity, makes it extremely unlikely, per NHL analyst Stephan Roget of 'Canucks Army.'
Aaron Boone Makes Feelings Clear After Yankees’ Big Trade
The New York Yankees didn't come into the season with the strongest third base situation, and it only got worse over time. They converted traditional second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the hot corner after getting him at the Trade Deadline last season and installed a timeshare with him, DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera there in 2025. However, the latter player broke his ankle on May 12, and the Yankees released the now 37-year-old LeMahieu on July 10. Chisholm was primarily back at second at that point, so this left Peraza and Jorbit Vivas as their only true remaining third basemen. With Peraza hitting .147 and Vivas hitting .164, it was clear what the team's biggest need was. That's why it acquired veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies on Friday. New York manager Aaron Boone gave his thoughts about the 30-year-old before Friday's bout with the Philadelphia Phillies, via SNY. "I know there's real offensive potential there. I know he's had real offensive success, as well as some struggles there over the last calendar year or two," he said. "It seems like over the last month he's really started swinging the bat like he's capable of. He can impact the ball, he can control the strike zone, he's had some swing-and-misses that have probably hurt him a little bit." "But then he can really defend over there," he continued. "The handful of times that we've played against them that I watch him, you're like, 'That's what it should look like over there.' He moves really well and has that prototypical good third base thing." McMahon is slashing .217/.314/.403 with 16 homers and 35 RBI over 100 games this season. He also has a .978 fielding percentage and six errors. Right-handed pitcher Will Warren (6-5, 4.91 ERA) will start for the Yankees against Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.75 ERA) on Friday.
Former Los Angeles Lakers Standout Is Still A Free Agent
Talen Horton-Tucker spent the 2024-25 season playing for the Chicago Bulls. He finished the year with averages of 6.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest while shooting 45.7% from the field and 33.6% from the three-point range in 58 games. This summer, Horton-Tucker became a free agent who is available to sign with any team in the league. On July 26, he still remains unsigned. Horton-Tucker was the 46th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Iowa State. He spent the first three years of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. During that span, Horton-Tucker became a fan-favorite. Via Ballislife.com (on December 14, 2020): "20-year-old Talen Horton-Tucker put on a show in the Lakers win over the Clippers! 33 PTS 11/17 FG 4/5 3PT 10 REB 4 AST 4 STL" Horton-Tucker has also spent time with the Utah Jazz (in addition to the Bulls and Lakers) over six seasons. The 24-year-old has career averages of 9.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest while shooting 42.7% from the field and 29.9% from the three-point range in 305 games. Via Legion Hoops (on April 8, 2022): "Talen Horton-Tucker as the Lakers’ first option tonight: 40 (!!!) points 54% FG 4 steals 3 assists 3 rebounds" As for the Bulls, they finished the 2024-25 season as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 39-43 record. They missed the NBA playoffs for the third straight season.
Steph Curry Reveals Text Message That Made Draymond Green Upset
Steph Curry and Draymond Green have been teammates for the last 13 seasons. The duo has been on a legendary run that has seen the Golden State Warriors win four NBA Championships (and reach six NBA Finals). Recently, Curry did an interview with Complex where he said that a lot of his close friends and teammates call him "30." He also shared a funny story about Green. Curry: "My teammates and my close friends now start to call me 30... Draymond got mad at me one time... Me or him usually starts the group chat of the team every year... I put together all the names and I introduced myself, like, hey fellas it's Stephen... He texted me on the side like, you did not just introduce yourself as your first name... He's like nah, you 30."
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