Practically fine but optically bad is like the tagline for most of these Marner criticisms, so that's ironic.
Nylander's job is not to stand in the defensive zone and completely miss the only attacking player and goal-scorer, as the closest defensively-set forward, and then disconnect his controller when he does notice.
Rielly's job is not to stand in the defensive zone and completely miss the only attacking player and goal-scorer, as the closest defenseman, and then fail to disrupt the shot.
Rielly's job is not to be first into the offensive zone, double back into the offensive zone when we've never actually gained the zone, and then be 4th man back on a goal against.
Matthews' job is not to fall down in center ice and fail to pick up the puck flipped to him.
Besides, you blame Marner for doing his job and his role when things don't work out perfectly, so why not everybody else?
The flip to neutral ice happens dozens of times a game on both sides. It's a common play, that only became a turnover because Matthews fell. The zone entry happens regardless, and while Marner isn't quite able to squeeze off an attacking player with way more momentum that shifts to the side at the last second and whips the stick out of his hands, there's a heck of a lot more to the eventual goal than a slowed down player wide on the boards in a 3v3 situation.
This "individual play" argument is just a way to cherry pick and craft a misleading narrative while ignoring the bigger picture.
But since it's so important to you, let's quickly look through the 2022 Tampa series.
In game 2, Matthews gives up the puck at the offensive blueline, and Tampa gets an odd man rush and scores the GWG. Nylander watches the goal scorer skate past him.
In game 4, Tavares fails his opportunity to cut off the player coming down the boards, and then fails to get in the way to block the shot, and they score.
In game 4, Rielly pushes up to center ice at a bad time, and lets a player get past him for an odd man rush and they score.
In game 4, Nylander fumbles the puck at the offensive blueline, and they get the puck and score.
In game 4, Tavares loses the puck in his feet in the offensive zone, and they grab the puck and score.
In game 6, Matthews scrums with a player mid-play instead of getting the puck right next to him. Tampa picks up the puck and Marner intercepts and passes it back to Matthews, which he also misses, and they score.
In game 7, on the series-winning goal right after Marner sets up a great chance, the puck comes back, and when it is in contention at our defensive blueline, Matthews turns up the ice for offense instead of getting back, and they score.
And that's just quickly looking at the things that happen within 5-10 seconds of a goal in one series, not 8 years of scouring every second of play for a perceived mistake.
Oh wait, we get to count basic penalties too!
Well Nylander took a tripping penalty in game 2.
Tavares took a hooking penalty in game 4.
Nylander took a holding penalty in game 5.
Rielly took a tripping penalty in game 6.
Get the tar and feathers ready! Before you notice that these kinds of things happen to every single player in the league. Hockey is a game of mistakes.
Marner is our best playoff producer, and yet you criticize his production because you've picked out some arbitrary games where Marner contributes to just as many goals as other core 4 members, but doesn't get rewarded for them with points to the same extent.
Marner is one of our best defensive players, who gets great defensive results and allows few goals against, and yet you criticize his defensive play because you've uniquely targeted him for every time a goal is scored while he's on the ice, while dismissing the same from everybody else, and the contributions from other linemates.
Marner is our best net penalty player through this era, and averages taking the 47th most penalties, and yet you criticize a fluke puck over glass penalty from years ago, while dismissing penalties from everybody else.
You never actually answered - If we're so worried about penalties, why are we going after our best net penalty player through this era and not the 46 players that averaged more penalties taken? If we're so worried about defensive miscues, why are we going after one of our best defensive players who rarely gets goals scored against them, instead of the many worse defensive players who bleed goals against? What exactly is the distinction between game 4 (which is Marner's best) and game 5? You acknowledged the stats are faulty, and the source of the discrepancy has already been identified, yet you keep referencing them.
Marner makes mistakes, but Marner's not doing anything unique. You just want to criticize Marner, and things tend to stick out for one individual when you focus so heavily on just one individual, with a pre-existing negative perception.
Hahaha.
