GDT: Leafs @ Nashville 7pm ET March 19th 2022

[Leafs1991]

You guys are idiots for wanting to break up the top line. Tavares is the issue on that 2nd line. Taking away part of what makes that top line so dangerous makes zero sense.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Tavares and Nylander not producing with each other is a problem they need to figure out. People actually shitting on the coach for not breaking up the best line in hockey is definitely peak Leaf fan thing to do though.

Unfortunately, it is starting to look like Nylander is struggling to do anything. Pops up with the odd good game but then goes back to being a liability.

Tavares in general always finds some way to be effective even through a slump but he looks really dangerous in the offensive zone again after slumping a little bit there. Nylander either needs to be on or he is completely off.

Matthews is probably one of the few guys in the NHL dominant enough to carry a guy like Nylander when he is on an off-night, but ultimately it is on Nylander to figure his game out. It may make more sense to dump Nylander on the 4th line rather than to break up the top line though. Tavares can make it work with Kase and Kerfoot.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

You guys are idiots for wanting to break up the top line. Tavares is the issue on that 2nd line. Taking away part of what makes that top line so dangerous makes zero sense.

No shit.

What’s your solution? Let him “figure it out”?

 

[SeaOfBlue]

You guys are idiots for wanting to break up the top line. Tavares is the issue on that 2nd line. Taking away part of what makes that top line so dangerous makes zero sense.

Actually, right now, it is clearly Nylander. Before it was somewhat both, but now it looks a lot like it is Nylander alone who needs to regain form.

 

[Leafs1991]

No shit.

What’s your solution? Let him “figure it out”?

I don't have one but I also don't think changing up the Leafs top line is the solution either.

Edit: My solution actually would be to trade him this offseason. In season, no idea. The guy is too slow now. His positioning is still great and is helping him get points but other than that, his age is showing and the decline has come way harder than I thought it would.

 

[Leafs1991]

Actually, right now, it is clearly Nylander. Before it was somewhat both, but now it looks a lot like it is Nylander alone who needs to regain form.

I think it's both. Tavares has had less than 5 games where he has been good to me. He was carried by Kerfoot and Nylander for the whole season, and carried by Marner the past 2 games. He just hasn't been good at all.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Yeah there’s no way we should be breaking up that top line. Best line I’ve ever seen as a Leafs fan.

 

[Burnie97]

Keefe is as stubborn as Babcock when it comes to Matthews-Marner. Tavares has looked good every time he’s been reunited with Mitch and utter crap next to Nylander.

Not sure what he’s trying to accomplish but man, stop being an idiot already with this.

I agree with this to an extent but the Bunting - Matthews - Marner line is probably the best line we’ve seen on the leafs in almost 2 decades.

Its a bit of a conundrum. I always feel it's best to spread the wealth but line 1 is amazing and line 3. It's hard to mess with them.

If Matthews went with Nylander and they start lighting it up then that'd be big. It's a bit of a gamble though.

It's frustrating because I'm a fan of Nylander but I feel there's so many shifts he just isn't engaged enough and then the next he's electrifying and has so much talent. It's a good problem to have if that makes sense lol.

There is so many combinations you could do with this lineup. It's like we have depth or something...

 

[LeafSteel]

I'm glad to see Matthews and Marner will be sticking together. It'd be dumb to separate them considering the insane chemistry they've had all season. Separate Nylander and Tavares, but not at the expense of splitting up Matthews and Marner, that'd be idiotic to do. No thanks.

Mrazek sucks, glad he's not playing Saturday. Send him to the Marlies, no one would care.

Ridiculous to take this seriously.

Great that besties Mitchy and Matty have the most fun playing together, but that’s not putting what’s best for the team first.

If splitting them over 2 lines gives us the best, most potent attack, you do it without thinking or blinking. Period.

If Mitchy and Matty get all saddy because they can’t have game play date, and would rather lose to stay together…… well this isn’t Peewee.

If they are happier losing to stay together, there’s a pretty serious problem. I think they are more mature competitors than that, though.

Some pretty ridiculous takes really. Team first, always and forever. Buy in or GTFO.

 

[ZEBROA]

I would try Tavares with Mitch and Nylander with Matthews at least one game. But not this one.

 

[Burnie97]

Yup and keep it up. You have to get your start somewhere.

It's rare you have an elite goalie for years. So if one catches fire ... run with it until you can't.

 

[Advanced stats]

No shit.

What’s your solution? Let him “figure it out”?

The solution is not to break up the best line in the NHL to try to "fix" a line that is barely broken. Tavares is nearly ppg, let's not act like the line is a disaster.

I swear, half the board here is like "80 point 2nd line center, 75 point 2nd line winger? GARBAGE!"

 

[34]

best player in the world returns baby

Matthews back to dominate! Lets go!

 

[tmlms13]

Nashville is the most penalized team in the NHL with a middle of the pack PK

So prepared for a 0 for 0 PP night

 

[ACC1224]

The solution is not to break up the best line in the NHL to try to "fix" a line that is barely broken. Tavares is nearly ppg, let's not act like the line is a disaster.

I swear, half the board here is like "80 point 2nd line center, 75 point 2nd line winger? GARBAGE!"

I don’t think it’s the whole season people are upset about but the the 5 on 5 play the last month or so.
I would split Matthews and Marner either.

 

[Incognito]

Hopefully Matthews can do to the scoreboard tonight what Colton Orr did to (what was left of) George CTE Parros' brain all those years ago.

 

[Nylander88]

I've liked what Clifford has done the last 2 games. Finishing his checks. Skating fast and hard (except for when he has the puck). We should be alternating Simmonds and Clifford to keep them hungry/rested so tey can play at that output. The only time I want to see them in the lineup at the same time is the upcoming game against the Jets.

I'd like to see Stanley get his face fed after his celebration of the refs saving his life.

Totally agree. Come playoff time we just need one of the two in. Alternate them based on play, like you said. But agreed about the Jets game. Crazy rivalry we've formed with them since the Canadian division last year. Heck id bring up and dress Curtis Douglas and Rich Clune for that one too haha

 

[Zybalto]

Come Keefe, grow a pair.

Based on how we played without Matthews, and how JT and Nylander are cold:

Kase-Matthews-Nylander
Bunting-Tavares-Marner

No longer a one line scoring threat team, but acknowledging breaking up one of the best lines in hockey.

Come at me yo…….

Easy peasy.

Before Matthews went for his vacation, Robertson had a couple of games on that line and it looked instantly more dynamic and certainly warranted a longer look broken up by the garbage suspension....plus, as you said, not breaking up one of the best lines in hockey.

Also this 5v5 for their lines:

Nylander/Matthews this year:
TOI: 211:07
Goals/60: 2.24

Matthews without Nylander:
TOI: 703:22
Goals/60: 4.27

Nylander without Matthews:
TOI: 656:51
Goals/60: 3.01

Tavares/Marner this year:
TOI: 225:40
Goals/60: 2.58

Marner without Tavares:
TOI: 550:30
Goals/60: 4.19

Tavares without Marner:
TOI: 638:22
Goals/60: 3.29

Voila.

 

[PromisedLand]

Man I am so bored out of my skull. Is it 7 yet? The clock is ticking so slow LOL

 

[TorMapleJays]

Let’s go!!!

 

[LeafSteel]

Man I am so bored out of my skull. Is it 7 yet? The clock is ticking so slow LOL

Stop that!

It will be Monday morning before you know it.

Monday’s suck, even when it’s trade deadline day….

Go weekends!

 

[crump]

Easy peasy.

Before Matthews went for his vacation, Robertson had a couple of games on that line and it looked instantly more dynamic and certainly warranted a longer look broken up by the garbage suspension....plus, as you said, not breaking up one of the best lines in hockey.

Also this 5v5 for their lines:

Nylander/Matthews this year:
TOI: 211:07
Goals/60: 2.24

Matthews without Nylander:
TOI: 703:22
Goals/60: 4.27

Nylander without Matthews:
TOI: 656:51
Goals/60: 3.01

Tavares/Marner this year:
TOI: 225:40
Goals/60: 2.58

Marner without Tavares:
TOI: 550:30
Goals/60: 4.19

Tavares without Marner:
TOI: 638:22
Goals/60: 3.29

Voila.

Oh my goodness, it's like a magician just let a flock of pigeons reveal themselves from under a handkerchief. Thank you.

 

[slozo]

Hopefully Matthews can do to the scoreboard tonight what Colton Orr did to (what was left of) George CTE Parros' brain all those years ago.

Sorry, I've got thick skin and no love for the Habs or Parros, but I think this was just a wee bit tasteless / over the line bud.

 

[Scion]

You guys are idiots for wanting to break up the top line. Tavares is the issue on that 2nd line. Taking away part of what makes that top line so dangerous makes zero sense.

You don't win in the playoffs with one line, no matter how dominant they are. The Leafs are better off switching up the lines to help out Tavares that way you have multiple dangerous lines for the opposition to have to worry about.

 

[crump]

Hopefully Matthews can do to the scoreboard tonight what Colton Orr did to (what was left of) George CTE Parros' brain all those years ago.

Not nice. I get the reference, but c'mon.