We’re all impressed with the team doing so well without our best player and six other regulars out but a few things remain unchanged…the defence and goaltending. They have been outstanding. Tanev and McCabe best defensive pair 5on 5 in the league. The team has allowed 8 goals in 8 games 5 on 5 since Matthews’ injury. That’s on the defence and goaltending.
But let’s not take anything away from Marner and Tavares, they have been spectacular and should remain together when Matthews comes back.
We have wasted so many years with Dubas trying to reinvent the game with puck possession east-west hockey with smallish players, especially on defence. This team will still live and die with our players but there’s a structure that wasn’t there with Dubas. Excited to see where we go in the playoffs.