When the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Washington Capitals Wednesday night for game four of the playoff series, they鈥檒l have a new, blue-bearded mascot on their side.

Jason Maslakow, AKA Dart Guy, has become an unofficial good luck charm for the Leafs ever since game two, when he was singled out in the crowd by a cameraman. Maslakow鈥檚 face was painted with a massive blue maple leaf and an unlit cigarette dangled from his lips.

The internet quickly pounced. Before the game was over, Maslakow had been dubbed Dart Guy -- Canadian slang for his cigarette -- and transformed into a meme.

The Leafs went on to defeat the Capitals 4-3 in double overtime, and claimed another overtime victory in game three. Fans have since rallied around Dart Guy and adopted him as a harbinger of victory.

But Maslakow is cautious to give himself any credit for the Leafs 2-1 lead in the series.

鈥淚t鈥檚 great of Leafs Nation and the fan base to get behind me like that, but this is about the hard work the Leafs are putting in and their effort on the ice is what鈥檚 winning the game 鈥� not some guy in the stands,鈥� he told 麻豆影视 Channel on Wednesday.

Maslakow, an auto worker for a Toyota plant in Cambridge, Ont., says that he鈥檚 been a 鈥渂leeding blue鈥� Leafs fan for as long as he can remember. Being mythologized by fans, he says, has been a surreal experience.

鈥淵ou know what, I鈥檓 just enjoying every minute of it while it鈥檚 here for me,鈥� he said.

The fanfare has also helped Maslakow connect with some of his all-time-favourite players, Gary Leeman and Wendel Clark, who sought out a picture with Dart Guy before game three.

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 have thought of that in my wildest dreams. So when I heard Wendel was searching me out for a picture, I made sure I got over to him,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat was pretty amazing.鈥�

Transforming into Dart Guy takes some time, Maslakow admits, especially when he has to shave down his hair.

鈥淐ould be looking at upwards of an hour, and hour and a half to get it all done,鈥� he said.

But all the effort has been worth it. He says family and friends love all the attention he鈥檚 getting.

鈥淓verybody鈥檚 just so happy for me and proud of me for going along with this. They all know how much of a diehard fan I am and how passionate I am about the Toronto Maple Leafs,鈥� he said.

As for exactly why he had an unlit cigarette in his mouth, Maslakow says the shot was 鈥減urely coincidence.鈥�

鈥淚 never could鈥檝e fathomed that something like this would鈥檝e happened,鈥� he said.