Leafs star Mitch Marner is in the midst of one of his best seasons, and the 27-year-old was the catalyst of a 5-3 victory over the Lightning.

The Colorado Avalanche trading star Mikko Rantanen signifies a change in their team-building approach from front-loading their squad to improving their depth.

On Feb. 12, the Toronto forward will exchange the blue-and-white maple leaf on his chest for the red-and-white one of Canada for the opener of the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden (8 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS).

Lightning star winger Nikita Kucherov, minus-3 on the night, was trying to make a pass at the Toronto blue line, but his turnover led to a breakaway for William Nylander that he buried for his 28th goal of the season and a 2-0 Toronto lead.

There was an abundance of star talent on the ice Monday, and the Toronto Maple Leafs’ best players rose to the occasion in a 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Hurricanes explored trades involving Vancouver Canucks stars J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson, but ultimately pivoted at the last moment. Speaking on "The Daily Faceoff Rundown" on Monday, Frank Seravalli revealed that Carolina could also have “inquired” about Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner.

TORONTO — Matthew Knies had two goals and an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs held on late to down the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 on Monday night. Auston Matthews and William Nylander also scored for Toronto. Joseph Woll made 27 saves. Mitch Marner added ...

Knies netted a backhand with 23 seconds left in the second period and then found the back of the net again on a power play after Tampa Bay had trimmed Toronto’s lead to 3-2 in the third. The 22-year-old left winger now has 18 goals for the season, a career best.

As Bissonnette explained on Tuesday, the Maple Leafs should pursue the signing of new Carolina Hurricanes forward Mikko Rantanen if he gets to free agency and Toronto lets Mitch Marner walk.

The Four Nations Face-Off gives plenty of reason for NHL fans–particularly Toronto Maple Leafs fans–to be invested in the tournament. The Maple Leafs are one of just two NHL franchises that will be represented on all four squads.

Will he re-sign in Carolina after this season -- and if not, where else? And what will other contenders do to keep pace ahead of the March 7 deadline?