The thought has crossed my mind that playoff hockey is different so maybe Marner, and/or the team as a whole just isn't suited to playoff hockey. But then I think no, that doesn't make sense because they almost always make it to game 7. So the only thing that makes sense to me, is that it's the pressure. Something between the ears is preventing them from handling it properly and that's why I've mentioned a few times that they should be hiring the best sports shrinks in the business to pump Marner up, and when they're done with him, put in some time with the rest of them.
Or maybe they'll somehow figure it out themselves. Whatever the case, it better happen soon because we've wasted so many years already and our big guns only have a few more of years left before they start to decline. For big stars it's usually a slow decline so our window could be open for a while yet but still, you only get so many chances.
Just so many variables to consider .
As a team overall think they lack a killer instinct . They play for fun it seems . Just a personal opinion .
The pycholgical side of what you're thinking i don't think is lack of effort , or for the most part on Marners end anyways , it's trying to do to much .
Line matching in the playoffs is on a total different level than reg season and big part why that line has some troubles . Opposing coachs obviously send their most trusted lines and d pairs out as much as possible against them . It's a bit smoke and mirrors looking at goal differentials against line matchs because opposing lines are not trying to score against the leafs line . They're out there strictly to shut them down . Then send their best line out against Tavares line because the goal differential will favor the opposing team . It's worked great with every team until Tampa playing the leafs like that . Then Florida was a different animal . Think the dirty hits and rough play shook the leafs up .
So coaching has to come into play here doesn't it ? Teams not prepared to come out early , or finish off teams . Coach won't split his tallent up when it's obviously not working .
I knew they wouldn't beat Florida when Knies went down with a dirty hit and nobody did a thing . They looked scared . Then Gudas et al were just running around freely not just hitting but hurting Leafs players . This is playoff hockey and it won't change so as conn Smyth said if you can't beat them in the alley ....
Goaltending has been an archiles heal for the leafs . 1 series only where we may of had the better tending . Playoff winners are almost always the team with the better goalie .
On an individual scale of who performed or not up to their reg season levels or elevated it past honestly can say imo the only one was Reilly . Nylander was ok but went missing at times also . Just how i seen it but reilly was the only consistant one.
I'm not sure this teams an easy change to become winners . Maybe they like you say do it from within themselves . Or maybe Woll is the difference needed ? Up to date they've changed pretty much everything but the core 5 .
I know it's a Marner discussion but Marners only one player on a team that's all failing , he's just the main lightening rod . That said , why should he be any more of a lightening rod than any of the top guys ?
