You should waste your time because you keep referencing their regular season numbers like that should translate to a playoff series battle. Two completely different scenarios... hence the fact Tavares is now starting in the defensive zone 66% of the time. How do you expect him to produce 5on5 when he is starting in his zone against the best faceoff man and defensive player in the league the majority of the time?
The fact is the Bergeron line has only scored in 1 game so far so Tavares is doing his job. If you think Babcock expects him to outproduce Bergeron you are greatly mistaken. If that was the case he would be giving him more offensive tools to work with. Muzzin/Zaitsev aren't offering any offensive support. They are out there for one reason: DEFENCE. Why did Rielly only play 8% of the game against Bergeron and Tavares played 90% last game? If Babcock was looking for offence from Tavares he would be giving them Rielly.
This is a chess game and Tavares line has been given the role of defence. The sooner you realize that the sooner you can accept that the line is doing well.
If you want to question Babcock's coaching that is another whole subject... and completely fair. Also, they need to be better on the power play.
Yeah so if zaitsev and muzzin are playing "simple" stay at home hockey with the stretch pass checked guys like the best defensive center in the league...Bergeron...do you change defensive pairing or do you trust a different forward line? The leafs have a significant defensive issue that remains unaddressed except for assigning the best defensive forwards who happen to be the best offensive forwards as well. More desired offense from this line requires more defensive zone exits from the d. It is quite simple.We're talking about two of our three best players here. We need them to do more than just try to stay alive.
I cant see zaitsev utilized in any other way. Stay at home with zero transitional responsibilities. His lack of ability and the lack of rhd depth forces the Tavares line to worry about everything past the harsh marks. I think Babcock has done well carpeting over the hole.That's the question... is Babcock making the right coaching decision?
This. The line has done really well in everything but finish. On the topic of finish, some of the Tavares criticisms are justified.The line overall has been fine. They just haven't finished on their chances. Tavares has had a few breakaways that he hasn't buried. He had a big time deflection right off the post last game. He's been snake bitten. Marner and Hyman have played just fine.
Has the defensive assignment drained Marner's energy at all?
"I don't think much," he said. "I mean, I got a lot of energy, which is nice. For me, personally, it’s about trying to make sure I'm always above people, not trying to cheat for offence or anything like that. Our line, we're always thinking about the defensive side of the puck."
https://www.tsn.ca/babcock-urges-stifled-marner-to-just-breathe-1.1294749
More confirmation they are being used as a defensive line.
Has Babcock mentally drained all the offence out of the line?
You neither wrong nor right on the money.It it too much to ask for a 47 goal scorer to be more than a shutdown center, for 1 game?
I am more concerned a young player like Marner will hear this silly noise about his offence drying up and try to press tonight and cheat for offence.
That line needs to keep doing what it's been doing and let our depth scoring win this game for us. Whistles should be put away for game 7.
Marner is the one who has had his chances dry up.
You neither wrong nor right on the money.
I think the game plan has and likely still will be to shut that line down first and foremost.... letting our secondary scoring take over the game.
It doesn't look good on the eyes. But if it works...im all for having JT have a strong round 2, if he keeps their top line in check.
I'd be more worried about the trio if they weren't being used extremely defensively (32 ZSR, 54% QoC CF), and were being successful at it (54% xGF).
We're using depth the way this team is going to win with it. You have to decide who to cover, and the other guys burn you.
The Bruins and Leafs have decided to let Marner and Tavares neutralise the top Boston line, allowing Auston, Willie, and Tyler free reign.
Next series might be different. Maybe the CBJ will work on shadowing Matthews -- and then Marner/Tavares will go to town.
@Beyonder91 most people on here never played hockey at a higher level thus they have limited views. I agree with all your points regarding the Tavares and marner line. You can even see positionally how Tavares is set up to be the highest forward and always be positioned between the Boston forward and our net even in the offensive zone.
Also what people don’t get is 3 elite players playing versus 2 elite players and hyman is a completely different look for JT. He understands that his line has a disadvantage and is focusing on cancelling out that line which they have done instead of trying to surpass the elite Boston Line which could lead to a few more goals but would most likely lead to numerous goals in our own net.
People who are expecting Tavares and marner to not just shut them down but also produce like they were in the regular season are out to lunch and are optimists instead of realists.
We are the better team overall, just poor defensive mistakes, special teams and some solid veterans on Boston have made it difficult for us.
probably flipping out about Marner and JT's lack of production ;-)Exactly! Where were you earlier in the thread? Haha.
@Beyonder91 most people on here never played hockey at a higher level thus they have limited views. I agree with all your points regarding the Tavares and marner line. You can even see positionally how Tavares is set up to be the highest forward and always be positioned between the Boston forward and our net even in the offensive zone.
Also what people don’t get is 3 elite players playing versus 2 elite players and hyman is a completely different look for JT. He understands that his line has a disadvantage and is focusing on cancelling out that line which they have done instead of trying to surpass the elite Boston Line which could lead to a few more goals but would most likely lead to numerous goals in our own net.
People who are expecting Tavares and marner to not just shut them down but also produce like they were in the regular season are out to lunch and are optimists instead of realists.
We are the better team overall, just poor defensive mistakes, special teams and some solid veterans on Boston have made it difficult for us.