Watch: Muzzin hammers Perry, scores 1st goal as Leaf
Shortly before his goal, Muzzin puts Perry into the boards hard#LeafsForever #LAKings pic.twitter.com/4QAA0MwWml
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) February 5, 2019
Jake Muzzin has come as advertised for the Toronto Maple Leafs so far, but the 6-foot-3 defenseman made his mark Monday night.
First, Muzzin caught Anaheim Ducks winger Corey Perry with a punishing hit, putting the 33-year-old into the boards as he tried to make a play at the blue line.
The hit did not sit well with the Ducks, as captain Ryan Getzlaf tried roping the Toronto blue-liner into a fight and Nick Ritchie took an ill-advised cross-checking penalty, whacking Muzzin after the whistle.
It didn't take long for the Ontario native to get his revenge. Muzzin immediately hammered home his first goal as a Maple Leaf off the ensuing faceoff, sending the crowd at Scotiabank Arena into a frenzy just before the second intermission.
No Muzzin around, just an absolute cannon from the point. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/x2gml6Qg6n
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 5, 2019
A goal, an assist, and a hit into the bench is the Jake Muzzin hat trick?
— Draglikepull (@draglikepull) February 5, 2019
The goal was Muzzin's second point with his new team after he registered an assist on Andreas Johnsson's goal a few minutes earlier. Toronto acquired the defenseman from the Los Angeles Kings on Jan. 28 in exchange for its 2019 first-round pick and two prospects.