Darryl Sittler and Eddie Olczyk each had an 18-game point streak for Toronto; Sittler had 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) from Jan. 26-March 8, 1978, and Olcyzk matched the feat with 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) from Dec. 2, 1989, to Jan. 8, 1990.
Though Marner is trying to downplay his individual accomplishment, his teammates are doing nothing of the kind entering the game here Wednesday (7 p.m. ET, SN, NBCSCA, ESPN+, SN NOW).
"Stay hot, eh," goalie Ilya Samsonov said. "He's a nice guy."
When informed Marner was one game away from matching the Maple Leafs record, Samsonov left no doubt that he feels Marner will do it.
"That's easy, I think he's going to do it," Samsonov said.
Giordano said that though Marner's production has been impressive, it's a byproduct of how strong his all-around game has been.
"It's unbelievable, but the points aside, the way he is playing, just his 200-foot game, defensively as [defensemen] we notice him a lot," Giordano said. "Just coming back, breaking up plays on the backcheck but also being available for us and calling for the puck all the time, you can tell a guy is really feeling it when they want the puck all over the ice."
John Tavares, who has played on a line with Marner for the past nine games since William Nylander and Marner switched lines on Nov. 12, had a 12-game point streak (21 points; eight goals, 13 assists) from Dec. 29, 2011 to Jan. 21, 2012, for the New York Islanders, his longest in the NHL.
"It's hard to put into perspective because I think it's extremely difficult to do, especially when teams are preparing to limit your opportunities and play you hard knowing he's one of the best in the game," said Tavares, the Maple Leafs captain. "Just such a smart player, and his ability to figure out where the opportunities are, where the time and space is, and how to see the play two or three steps ahead, is what makes him an elite player."
The streak began for Marner on Oct. 27, when he had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 overtime loss at the Sharks. He has nine power-play points, one short-handed point and 13 even-strength points during the streak. The Maple Leafs have earned points in 15 of the 17 games, going 10-2-5.
"It just speaks to his ability, whether it's 5-on-5, power play or even penalty kill, for that matter, he has the ability to make plays and be a difference maker," coach Sheldon Keefe said. "He's obviously been very consistent, and as you go through a streak like that, there's times you need a bounce or some luck to go your way, and I'm sure somewhere along the way that has been the case. But certainly here recently, he's been making big-time plays at key moments, so he's full marks for this streak he's been on, and our team has been benefiting from it for sure."
After the game Wednesday, Toronto plays its next two games on the road: at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday and at the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Marner expects to have a lot of family and friends on hand to watch him attempt to make history.
He admitted to thinking about the streak at times recently but said he has not adopted any special routines to try to keep it going.
"I try to just do my thing," Marner said. "It's hard to keep the same routine on road trips and home games. I'm not trying to worry about too much stuff. I'm really not that superstitious about things, so I'm trying not to be any more superstitious than I already am."
