Leafs' Keefe not concerned by Marner's 'odd' power-play goal drought

It's been 99 games since Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner's last power-play goal, which seems almost unbelievable given his penchant to light up the scoresheet.

The last time Marner scored on the power play was in February 2020. He somehow still led the Leafs with 14 power-play points in 55 games in the 2020-21 season despite never lighting the lamp on the man advantage.

For Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe, Marner's lack of power-play goals is eyebrow-raising, but he isn't pushing the panic button.

"I find it odd and we're aware of it ... we're trying to do different things to help something to fall for him," Keefe said Saturday, according to the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan. "This season, our PP has been as good as anyone in the league. I'm not too concerned about it."

The Leafs' power-play percentage is 29.6%, tied for second in the league with the St. Louis Blues - their opponents Saturday night.

Toronto's production is far better than it was last year. Its power play was firmly in the middle of the pack with a 20% success rate.

Heading into this campaign, the Leafs brought in Spencer Carbery to take over power-play coaching duties from Manny Malhotra, who remains on the coaching staff.

Marner has seven power-play points in 26 games so far this season.

The Markham, Ontario, native missed Toronto's last three games due to COVID-19 protocol and said Friday that he's ready for Saturday's contest, according to The Hockey News' David Alter.

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