Robert Mayer – USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Maple Leafs are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2004, and the team shows no sign of letting up before the postseason starts. The Maple Leafs notched a 4-0 victory over the Florida Panthers on Thursday, spurred on by a star effort from top offensive performer Phil Kessel. While the veteran winger may have gotten off to a slow start this season, he has been one of the most consistent point producers since February and is turning in some impressive April scoring totals.
Kessel scored two goals against the Panthers, marking the 16th time he has had a multiple-point night (only three players have more multi-point games). He has been lights out for the Maple Leafs this month, registering at least a point in nine of 11 games. He has six multi-point games this month, including three mutli-goal nights. Kessel’s nine goals and 17 points in April have helped him put up three consecutive months of at least 12 points, and on a team that has also received steady offense from Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk it has been Kessel leading the way. He scored a career-high 37 goals and 82 points last season, and his 19 goals and 51 points in half the number of games this season keeps his consistent improvement right on track.
Defensively, the goaltending of James Reimer has done just as much to help the Maple Leafs return to glory. A case can be made for several players up front, but few have been good as consistently a Kessel has. Kessel will now have a chance to be a playoff hero as well, making his first trip back there since 2009 when he was a member of the Boston Bruins. In 15 career playoff games, Kessel has nine goals and 15 points.
Jonathan Katje is an NHL senior writer for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your circles on Google Plus.
