TORONTO -- The play didnt actually result in a goal in Torontos 4-2 victory over Washington, but came pretty close, another demonstration of the ease with which the NHL seems to be coming to Maple Leafs rookie Mitch Marner.It was late in the second period Saturday night when Marner circled the Washington goal with puck in tow, cut back through the slot to where he started and then whipped a pass across the ice to Tyler Bozak, his attempt denied by reigning Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby.Marner had his eyes up the whole way, scanning the ice for opportunities, not bothered seemingly by Marcus Johansson, the Capitals winger trailing on the play.When you see him start wheeling the zone like that and going for a full lap you know its a confident player, linemate James van Riemsdyk said.Marner had already set up two Toronto goals at that point, vaulting into a share of first in the rookie scoring race while helping the Leafs end a three-game losing streak.The 19-year-old, now with 18 points, has matched Winnipeg sensation Patrik Laine for first among rookies, and also tied van Riemsdyk for the Leafs scoring lead. Marner leads all NHL rookies with 14 even-strength points, boasting six multi-point outings in his first 21 NHL games.Hes a guy who loves the game and he works really hard at it so the skys the limit for him, van Riemsdyk said.Marner set up goals from van Riemsdyk and Matt Martin, and Matthews scored his first goal at home in more than a month. Nazem Kadri added his ninth goal of the season.Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson scored, and Holtby made 37 saves for Washington.We didnt look like the Washington Capitals out there at all, Holby said. Completely embarrassed by a young team. Its not acceptable in our culture here. Were going to have to be better. Every one of us. It was completely embarrassing.Off since a Wednesday night shootout loss in New Jersey and facing a Washington squad playing its third game in four nights, the Maple Leafs appeared the much fresher team early.Martin opened the scoring less than 3 minutes in when he got behind the Washington tandem of John Carlson and Dmitry Orlov and beat Holtby for his second goal of the season and second in two games. The 27-year-old, who went the first 19 games of the year without a goal, was set up beautifully on the play by Marner, the 19-year-old firing a dart from one blue line to the other for his 17th point of the season.The Leafs kept it coming after the goal, outshooting the Capitals 12-1 at one point in the first while drawing three power plays. They came close to beating Holtby once more, but the reigning Vezina Trophy winner stood his ground, turning aside the final 12 shots of the period.The home side grabbed their fourth power play of the game moments into the second when Peter Holland gained a step on Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner, held as he broke free for an opportunity on Holtby. Holland was in the lineup for only his eighth game this year because 20-year-old rookie William Nylander was sidelined with an upper body injury (day-to-day).With the power play it was Marner again showing his skill. He dropped a soft pass into the slot for fellow rookie Nikita Soshnikov and while his attempt was denied, the puck landed right in front of van Riemsdyk. He promptly flipped the puck over Holtbys left pad for his team-leading ninth goal this season.Toronto got in and out of trouble a short while later. With Zach Hyman already in the box for holding, Leo Komarov was then whistled for hooking, giving the Capitals a 24-second five-on-three advantage. The Leafs managed to kill off both penalties though and escape unharmed.Holtby continued to perform throughout a more evenly-played second, countered at the other end by Andersen. The Leafs No. 1 stopped Taylor Chorney streaking down the right side with a glove save and then turned aside both Matt Niskanen and Backstrom on another Capitals man advantage.Marner continued to dazzle otherwise. After blocking a Justin Williams shot and hobbling off the bench the Thornhill, Ont., native then returned to make another eye-catching play. With puck in tow and Johansson trailing, Marner circled around the net, cut back through the slot to where he started and then flung a pass to Tyler Bozak, his attempt just above the goal-line denied by Holtby.Matthews padded the Leafs lead to three 22 seconds into the third when he blasted a Matt Hunwick rebound for his ninth goal of the season.Andersen made maybe his best stop of the game near the midway point of the final period, stretching to snatch Carlsons attempt with his glove.Backstrom scored a short time later, stuffing a shot into the goal on a scramble around the net.Game notesToronto had dropped its previous three games all by a goal (0-2-1), downed by Montreal, Carolina and New Jersey.UP NEXT:Capitals: Have four days off before facing the New York Islanders at home Thursday nightMaple Leafs: Open a three-game Western Canada swing at Edmonton on Tuesday night.Nike Air Max 97 Sale . The players spoke Jan. 13 during a Major League Baseball Players Association conference call after Rodriguez sued the union and Major League Baseball to overturn an arbitrators decision suspending him for the 2014 season and post-season. Nike Air Max 97 Online . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. https://www.fakeairmax97wholesale.com/ .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. Cheap Nike Air Max 97 . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. Wholesale Nike Air Max 97 . Malkin got tangled up with Detroits Luke Glendening early in the third period and his left skate took the brunt of collision with the boards behind Pittsburghs net.CHICAGO -- Following back-to-back series with teams very much in the postseason hunt the Chicago Cubs now play three against teams far off the pace.While mathematically alive, the Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres are all playing sub-.500 baseball and trail leaders in their respective divisions by 10 1/2 games or more.The Cubs (73-43) swept a pair from the Los Angeles Angels last week and then split a four-game series with division rival St. Louis to maintain a 12-game lead in the National League Central.The Brewers and Cubs open a four-game series with Tuesdays day-night doubleheader at Wrigley Field. One game is a makeup from an April 27 rainout. Milwaukee (52-64) is fourth in the NL Central, 21 games behind Chicago.The Brewers bring in one of baseballs hottest bats in Ryan Braun, batting .381 with 26 runs, nine homers, 21 RBI and 14 walks since the All-Star Break.Hes really locked in and producing, for sure, said Brewers manager Craig Counsell. We were worried a little about what would happen after losing the hitter (Jonathan Lucroy) behind him but hes responded really well and hes certainly been swinging the bat great.The Cubs counter with a pitcher making his first start of the season in Tuesdays opener and a short-handed bullpen exposed in last weekends Cardinals series.Right-hander Trevor Cahill gets a spot start in Tuesdays 12:20 p.m. game against Brewers righty and ex-Cub Matt Garza (4-4, 4.83 ERA). Chicagos Jason Hammel (12-5, 2.90 ERA) carries a five-start winning streak into Game 2 against Milwaukees Chasse Anderson (7-10, 4.dddddddddddd93 ERA) at 7:05 p.m.Cahill will come off the disabled list and serve as 26th man for Tuesdays doubleheader. He has been sidelined since July 9 with patellar tendinitis in his right knee but made six recent starts with Triple-A Iowa, going 0-3 with a 4.58 ERA.He is 1/3 with a 3.07 ERA in 33 appearances with the Cubs this season.Bullpen weakness was a contributing factor in Cubs losses on Saturday and Sunday.Reliever Hector Rondon returned on Sunday after being out 12 days with a sore triceps. He gave up a go-ahead three-run homer to Stephen Piscotty in the eighth inning.His stuff wasnt as crisp as normal., Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. The fastball velocity wasnt up there. He obviously did not throw the ball where he wanted to.Pedro Strop is out four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery last week for a left meniscus tear.Not having Stroppy -- we just have to figure this out, Maddon said. We have to restructure this somehow.Chicago also had another pitching scare on Sunday night when starter John Lackey departed in the seventh inning with shoulder stiffness.But Lackey said after the game that he was fine. He figures to start again later this week at Colorado.Im OK, he said after Sundays game. (An) extra bullpen session was probably not the best for me. I feel a little tight since then. Nothing crazy. Trust me. Ive been out there feeling a lot worse. Ill be all right. ' ' '
