34 & 16

[Aashir]

Perhaps they are kept together because they also form the best line defensively?

But then it creates an awful second line, especially defensively

JT and nylander offensively are hot and cold, but defensively a mess

Marner and Matthews provide stability to the other two and give us two good first lines in all situations vs 1 great first line and a good but flawed second line.

 

[ACC1224]

But then it creates an awful second line, especially defensively

JT and nylander offensively are hot and cold, but defensively a mess

Marner and Matthews provide stability to the other two and give us two good first lines in all situations vs 1 great first line and a good but flawed second line.

I'm certainly not against them being split just throwing out a thought on why coaches don't.

 

[Gabriel426]

I truly think Bérubé knows he can’t split them into three lines bc he doesn’t have players to play with them.

MM with JT and Max/McMann is good
Even AM with Domi and Knies is good
But Willie with whom?

It is not just who Willie will play with but what is the role and identity of that line?

 

[mjd1001]

I don't think thats true they are better apart. I thought someone else posted stats that showed, despite perception, they actually are more productive together. I'll try to find the stats and post them.

 

[mjd1001]

Why can the casual fan see that 16 is better away from 34 and 34 is better away from 16 but every coach after seeing it work goes back to the same 34 & 16

Is there a clause in their contract stating they must play together? I am really baffled why us arm chair QB's can see this but Keefe and now Berube can't see it

If the casual fan can see they are better apart, then the what the casual fan sees goes against reality.

In terms of goal production, its not true they are better apart, at least the last 2 years:

Together:
1175 minutes played even strength the last 2 years. 90 "goals for"

Seperate:
1295 minutes combined (both of them added together) 81 "goals for"

So even strength this year and last year, production is 22% better with them together than apart. As far as goals allowed, they are slightly worse defensively when playing together, but offensively quite a bit better when together.

Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick