Examine this play, and ask yourself, how this effects Marners linemates? Marner is 6' closer to the puck than McCavoy...but Marner just lets him have it and Boston easily clears the zone.
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How can anyone not think that this wouldnt prevent Matthews from producing in the playoffs?
Look at Marners playoff shot locations....
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Now compare Marners shot locations to Rantanen, who makes 1.8 million less than Marner:
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Matthews is effectively playing 5v4 when Marner is on the icr because Marner just hangs out on the perimeter.
Watch the playoffs, the games are being won in the slot, not by wingers standing on the perimeter.