Why is Keefe so reluctant to split up Matthews and Marner?

[Atomos2]

This was brought up in the Keefe Discussion thread and its a decent point to note. It's not like either Matthews and Marner can't drive their own line. And the Thornton-Tavares-Marner line were excellent against the Oilers. It really does seem like Keefe has registered a stubbornness to keep them together. The exact opposite of Babcock who kept them apart.

I just don't get why it has to be one extreme or the other and we can't find a middle ground when the team needs a goal. With the amount of firepower on this team, it shouldn't be that difficult to muster offense.

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[BertCorbeau]

Well they’re the highest scoring duo in the league right now, connecting more goals than anyone else in the last.. year and a half?

So if a goal is needed they’re the most likely pair to do it

 

[hotpaws]

the solution to every problem isn't always to change lines and JT's issues stem from his cement feet and not from his linemates

time throw him on Matty's wing where he can blow our zone early , be the last guy back and basically just hang around the net trying to pad his stats

build a line around Willie at C , he can't be any worse than watching JT struggle to make it up and down the ice

 

[Spirit of 67]

Because they're playing very well together.

Will there be anything else?

 

[Notsince67]

This was brought up in the Keefe Discussion thread and its a decent point to note. It's not like either Matthews and Marner can't drive their own line. And the Thornton-Tavares-Marner line were excellent against the Oilers. It really does seem like Keefe has registered a stubbornness to keep them together. The exact opposite of Babcock who kept them apart.

I just don't get why it has to be one extreme or the other and we can't find a middle ground when the team needs a goal. With the amount of firepower on this team, it shouldn't be that difficult to muster offense.

1. they are both elite talents that are dangerous at all times.
2. He relies on them to play a lot of minutes. I don't think there are too many forwards on the team that can match their endurance. You really want to average the number of minutes down so that Nylander and JT get more minutes at the expense of M&M? It seems to me that they are already getting plenty and look gassed at times with what they already have.

 

[Atomos2]

Because they're playing very well together.

Will there be anything else?

Playing well when the team hasn’t won in regulation in 6 games.

it’s not a question about Matthews and Marner’s play, it’s a question about the team. If they are playing well, why not spread them out? There’s more than one reason to change lines and in the middle of a team slump, it’s not an odd suggestion.

 

[Spirit of 67]

Playing well when the team hasn’t won in regulation in 6 games.

it’s not a question about Matthews and Marner’s play, it’s a question about the team. If they are playing well, why not spread them out? There’s more than one reason to change lines and in the middle of a team slump, it’s not an odd suggestion.

How did the team play during that time?

 

[Atomos2]

How did the team play during that time?

Unable to capitalize on chances due to hot goaltending. The exact same problems that got us eliminated in the playin round.

Where Keefe brilliantly put together a line of Matthews Marner and Tavares that couldn’t change the outcome of the games.

 

[Spirit of 67]

Unable to capitalize on chances due to hot goaltending. The exact same problems that got us eliminated in the playin round.

Where Keefe brilliantly put together a line of Matthews Marner and Tavares that couldn’t change the outcome of the games.

Maybe we should try bringing a goalie to a goalie battle then.

 

[ZEBROA]

When things dont work make a change no matter how good the players have played before. Thats what great game coaches do. But if the preassure good stick with that line, they will solve it.

If the top players have a bad game, i would change lines a couple of shifts if its not better halfway in.

 

[Teeder Keon]

Because he doesn’t want to ...

 

[ShaneFalco]

Keefe, unlike the previous coach, will mix things up, try different things. So not concerned at all

 

[ZEBROA]

Keefe, unlike the previous coach, will mix things up, try different things. So not concerned at all

If he did, that'd be great.

 

[Buds17]

There's the potential for an argument to be made to split them a bit more often if the belief is that Matthews is the team's best centre and Marner the team's best winger. IMO, it's just in the team's best interests to have all of the big four be as productive as possible considering how much is invested in them. Any decision sure seems like the correct one when the team is on a roll.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Probably has something to do with this...Just a guess though

 

[Daisy Jane]

so wait.
for 3+ years everyone was complaining that Babcock didn't play Matthews and marner together
and now we're questioning Keefe for not splitting them up?

 

[Papi 4 Hart]

Cuz they are our best line we have ever had in my life time...

 

[koyvoo]

Well, Marner was already at a 90+ point production rate. I believe he could achieve on whichever line, but is it not clear that Matthews was elevated from a 40+ goal scoring clip to a 60+ goal scoring clip.

Why exactly do we want to have that end?

 

[sxvnert]

Keefe should load up the first line and make the second line "the shutdown line".

Nylander Matthews Marner
Hyman Tavares Mik
Thornton Staal Simmonds
Spezza Boyd ----------

At 11m Tavares should be capable of driving his own line as well no?

 

[Mckay]

so wait.
for 3+ years everyone was complaining that Babcock didn't play Matthews and marner together
and now we're questioning Keefe for not splitting them up?

LOL. I came to say exactly this.

 

[zeke]

Because they've been the best line in hockey since he put them together.

 

[Atomos2]

Because they've been the best line in hockey since he put them together.

I get that but it hasn't resulted in us winning games recently. This is not saying that they are bad together, but trying something new to avoid a slump getting worse isn't the craziest idea, especially if it keeps opposing teams honest.

 

[Leaf4Life]

so wait.
for 3+ years everyone was complaining that Babcock didn't play Matthews and marner together
and now we're questioning Keefe for not splitting them up?

Lol good point. But I think the problem is the lack of flexibility. Why does it have to be 100% one or the other? I think Keefe needs to be able to make adjustments when things aren't going well (which they clearly aren't right now).

 

[Stephen]

so wait.
for 3+ years everyone was complaining that Babcock didn't play Matthews and marner together
and now we're questioning Keefe for not splitting them up?

The consistent throughline here is we want a coach who will be flexible and adapt strategies when things aren’t working.

Anyway, during the big line mini slump I notice the “spacing” issue creeps up as a problem when 2 of the forwards will want to enter the zone from the center ice or wing position and sometimes seem to have 2 guys who want to chase the puck or whatever and seem bunched up together. Compare and contrast the Perfection Line we always compare ourselves to and one of their strengths is always kind of picking apart defenses, spacing apart and by opening seams for bang bang plays and back door passes.

 

[kevsh]

I think the past few games they haven't been as great as usual in part because Matthews is clearly playing injured. If this little rest helps his wrist/hand heal then they should be back to their dynamic duo ways this weekend.