Line Combos: Should the Leafs split up the PP units?

[TmlHockeyFan]

It was effective in the beginning but it hasn't been as effective as I've expected it to be. On paper our 1st unit looks amazing and I was so hyped in the beginning of the season when I saw the first PP unit. But it might not be a bad idea to spread it apart.

My preference IF they are split(#1 and #2 unit is pretty interchangeable). I tried to make both lines as even as I can.

1) Tavares, Marner, Kadri, Marleau, Rielly
2) Matthews, Nylander, Kapanen, Johnnson, Gardiner

However even if they aren't split, I don't mind keeping it the way Babcock has it but give #1 unit more time as they have.

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[ACC1224]

Stack one and give it a minimum of 90 seconds

 

[ottomaddox]

Yes.

No more giving the puck to Nylander on the 2nd PP.

 

[lovemyleafs]

How about just giving the current first unit more PP time (like the minimum of 90sec suggested above)? Pretty odd seeing Ennis get as much PP time as Matthews.

 

[TmlHockeyFan]

I agree more time on the 1st unit would also suffice. I'm tired of seeing the 2nd unit play almost the same minutes.

 

[ShaneFalco]

No just on the PP but the Leafs lack a big shot from the point

 

[Willy Stylez]

How about just giving the current first unit more PP time (like the minimum of 90sec suggested above)? Pretty odd seeing Ennis get as much PP time as Matthews.

As much? Matthews has 2:34 vs Ennis 1:40.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Anything to get Ennis off the PP is good enough for me. The guy is not even that skilled for a little guy.

 

[LaPlante94]

Easy solution. Put Kapanen in Kadris spot on the 1st unit and then Kadri on the 2nd unit to replace Ennis. Why these changes? Kapanen in Kadris spot because I feel a right handed shot in the high slot would work best with Marner on the right side. This gives Marner 3 different options with Rielly as the bailout/reset play as his 4th. If it's open he has the cross seam pass to Matthews who has his quick shot. If they cover that well you have Kapanen who could float between the faceoff circles in between the PK box and has a quick one timer. Then you got the pass down to Tavares down on the goal line who has the option of taking it to the net or he has a quick one touch pass to Kapanen for a one timer. We don't have that shot from the point that a Parayko or Weber brings so we don't have that kind of threat.

 

[Cleetus]

Yes.

No more giving the puck to Nylander on the 2nd PP.

yes give it to him on the first one instead

 

[Once]

We have enough depth to move some parts, but like @ACC1224 pointed out, it is probably best to stack unit 1 and let them play 75% of the PP.

In my opinion, Nylander looks out of place on PP2 as he needs someone to finish his plays. In fact, he is almost too skilled for a guy like Ennis or Marleau.

A great problem to have with all of the options. I imagine Babcock will stay the course and not make any knee jerk decisions.

 

[Once]

Yes.

No more giving the puck to Nylander on the 2nd PP.

Yeah, give it to Marleau right?

 

[Apotheosis]

Nope. Should stack it as much as possible and have them play out 90 seconds of it. No team should be playing their far inferior offensive players for one half of a whole powerplay.

 

[NightTrain1]

I would move Kadri to the second unit at this point. The first unit has an incredible passer (Marner), an incredible shot (Matthews), and an incredible front man (Tavares). IMO Kadri's shot is being wasted in the center area and in some moments him being there interrupts what Marner is trying to do with Matthews.

I think what we have seen is when Kadri is given more room and more responsibility on the top lines he preforms better, but when he isnt the go to guy he suffers. We know he has a great hard shot, so make him the Matthews of the second unit and someone Nylander can legit make plays to.

 

[hamzarocks]

Get kadri off top unit and let him, nylander, kapanen, johnsson, and gardiner for a beast of a second unit.

Give Marleau, kadris current role. He wont be a big feature and just will need to shoot/redirect shots in front of the net

 

[sxvnert]

No, they should add Willy to the top unit to seek and destroy everything in sight.

PP1: Matthews JT Marner Nylander Rielly
PP2: Johnsson/Ennis Kadri Kappy Marleau Gards

 

[Daisy Jane]

well unstacked it was back to back 2nd in the league.
currently it's 7th.

it didn't need to be stacked, and i think honestly, the strength of our powerplay was that both units could burn you.

 

[Goonface2k14]

Keep it.

I think it’s better for Kadri’s sake to keep him where he is and try and get him going.

It might mean more forced shots from him right at the goalie, which isn’t great, but eventually he’ll get one. He could use the confidence boost.

And play the top unit as much as possible.

 

[IPS]

well unstacked it was back to back 2nd in the league.
currently it's 7th.

it didn't need to be stacked, and i think honestly, the strength of our powerplay was that both units could burn you.

You were saying last year that maybe it was better for Matthews to not get a lot of PP time because he's so good at ES. This year he's honestly our best guy on the PP.

The 2nd unit plays almost as much as the first while not being stacked. This is the crystal clear problem. Our 2nd PP unit was hot garbage last year.

Your takes never make any sense, nothing ever adds up.

 

[IPS]

Tavares
Nylander-Matthews-Marner
Rielly
​

Run this shit for 1:30 minimum.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

No, but the coach should stop allotting ice time as if they were split

 

[qqaz]

No, but the coach should stop allotting ice time as if they were split

I know it's pretty unanimous in this thread, but it just isn't going to happen. Babcock has always been this way. It was one of the big complaints I remember from Detroit fans when Toronto hired him. Forwards, D pairings, special teams, doesn't matter. He spreads out the ice time.*

I think it's fine in the regular season. No sense burning out your top guys, and it keeps the 2nd unit sharp. But I hope he changes it up in the playoffs.

*only exception is goalies

 

[Nithoniniel]

Either spread the talent a bit, or ride the first unit. They are doing something in between now.

 

[Leafidelity]

I think Kadri should be moved to another unit. He's just not meshing well with the first group. Who knows, maybe he gets going in a bigger role.

 

[Menzinger]

Once Nylander starts developing chemistry with the second unitnguys, I think it’ll be less of an issue.

If Babs is going to continue to more or less balance the usage between the unit’s then they should spread out the talent more