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Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner celebrate Tom Blatchford's 1500-game NHL milestone in style

Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner celebrate Tom Blatchford's 1500-game NHL milestone in style

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 14, 2025, 16:55 IST

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The Toronto Maple Leafs secured a 4-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes and celebrated Assistant Equipment Manager Tom Blatchford's 1,500th NHL game. The win was the Leafs' 50th victory of the season and put them within striking distance of winning the Atlantic Division title. The team's camaraderie was emphasized, with Auston Matthews scoring his 399th career goal and Mitch Marner contributing to the team's success.

Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner celebrate Tom Blatchford's 1500-game NHL milestone in style

Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and other Toronto Maple Leafs teammates (via Getty Images)

During a game and night to remember both on and off the ice, not only did the Toronto Maple Leafs register a crucial 4-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, but they also hailed the incredible career milestone of Assistant Equipment Manager Tom Blatchford, achieving his 1,500th NHL game. Superstars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner led the way, honoring Blatchford's long service to the organization in a night that had the flavor of both triumph and sentiment.

Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner praise long-time employee Tom Blatchford as Toronto Maple Leafs win milestone game

The win was the Leafs' 50th victory of the season and put them within striking distance of winning the Atlantic Division title. Playoffs are now on the horizon, and the Leafs aren't merely playing solidly on the ice but are also under one umbrella behind the scenes—an attitude distilled in the manner they celebrated Blatchford's milestone. The victory wasn't about standings or points—it was about camaraderie. The team's genuine recognition of Tom Blatchford, capped with a social media post, shows the camaraderie level in the locker room.

Auston Matthews nears 400 goals as Toronto Maple Leafs roll Hurricanes while Coach Craig Berube commends team

Auston Matthews tallied his 399th career goal as part of the accumulation as the Toronto Maple Leafs continued their deep late-season charge. The score reflected Matthews' excellent shooting and passing as he approached his long-sought 400th goal milestone.
New head coach Craig Berube commended the team for its toughness, particularly in the area of a hectic schedule. “I think our record was 10- 4-and-2 maybe on back-to-backs this year. Pretty good record,�?stated Berube, referring to Toronto's back-to-back wins over the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes. “Um, you know, it's tough. A lot of times with the travel and where you're at and everything. So guys done a good job being smart and playing the right way and defending and not, you know, opening it up too much, you know. So that's good. Yeah.�?
Mitch Marner, one point shy of his 100th of the season, remains a sparkplug to Toronto's attack. His consistency and creativity have the crowd in high spirits as the team approaches the playoffs.
Also read: 45 and counting: Nylander shines in Maple Leafs' 4-1 victory over Hurricanes
With 104 points and a four-point lead on the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Toronto Maple Leafs are chasing the Atlantic Division title. Next up is the Buffalo Sabres, but everyone's attention remains focused on the playoffs—and whether this can be the year Toronto finally gets over the hump.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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