They were top 2, for years. for the years 2019/20 to 2022/23, in combination. Simple facts. If you want to argue semantics, go ahead. I also provided the rest of the regular seasons.
Bottom line, it's been an elite PP group most of the time, and rather consistent, which allows it to be a top 2/3 PP unit, in aggregate over a number of years.
I never suggested Mitch was the reason for the PP, perhaps you have me confused with someone else you would like to argue with. I did suggest that the unit overall has worked well together, so there is no reason to dismantle it. If you really wanted to dive deep, into how and why the PP hasn't worked in the playoffs, you'd probably look at things like shots, where the shots are from, and shooting percentage. If the number of shots are similar/60 in the playoffs, as regular season, you might conclude our shooters aren't delivering, or in the right spots to score from... that's not hard to look up. If we aren't getting shots off, it's probably the guys delivering the passes, like Marner.
Playoffs, they've sucked, in many ways... but IMO, that part is for multiple reasons. Coaching to some degree, and players inability to rise to the occasion of the playoffs. Until the coaches draw up a PP that can deliver at a top 2/3 league wide performance, on a regular basis, including in the playoffs, and until this group of four/five players, who play on PP1 can deliver in the playoffs, both on the PP and 5v5, the Leafs aren't going anywhere. It's up to Berube and his group, to ensure that both happen... as much as they can within their powers.