sens @ Leafs - Feb. 18th, 7:00pm - SNO, Fan 590

[ZBBM]

Marner didn't get the monkey off JT's back.  Murray did.  Sure, he's tired and they are getting bombed but how do you not make that save?  As much as I criticized Hutch last nite, if I were a sens fab (assuming they exist) I would be livid with Murray.

 

[Nik]

I've always preferred the Matthews-Nylander and Tavares-Marner combos. I hope they stick.

I agree it might be better for the team's balance but having an elite set-up guy like Marner with maybe the league's best goal scorer is pretty difficult to resist, as we're seeing.

 

[ZBBM]

I've always preferred the Matthews-Nylander and Tavares-Marner combos. I hope they stick.

I agree but I do wonder how much the human factor comes into play here. Not saying that the relationship between those two pairs are rocky or anything, but it's pretty clear that Matthews and Marner genuinely want to play together. And they just seem giddy as the idea they get to both play with Joe Thornton as well. In fact I have a sneaking suspicion that line only came to be because those two asked about it.

Obviously at the end of the day these guys are professionals and they'll do what's best for the team, but I do think they'll be a little bummed about it.

Marner and Matthews are a points machine right now, and Thornton looks like he's settling in as another gear in that machine. I think it would be crazy to disrupt that, at least unless and until they cool off.  Tavares needs to get himself going.  I might try Spezza on the wing there ? 19+88 feeding 91 near the net.  Or 89 when he gets back.

 

[bustaheims]

I've always preferred the Matthews-Nylander and Tavares-Marner combos. I hope they stick.

I agree it might be better for the team's balance but having an elite set-up guy like Marner with maybe the league's best goal scorer is pretty difficult to resist, as we're seeing.

I'd be pretty hesitant to break it up for that reason. Matthews and Marner are having more success together than previous combinations. Tavares-Nylander produced pretty well last season, as well. They're struggling this season, obviously, but there's chemistry there.

 

[Bender]

I've always preferred the Matthews-Nylander and Tavares-Marner combos. I hope they stick.

I agree it might be better for the team's balance but having an elite set-up guy like Marner with maybe the league's best goal scorer is pretty difficult to resist, as we're seeing.

I mean, I'd care a lot more if the goals weren't going in for Matthews. This reminds me a bit of the Boston model - create top the league first line and have the rest of your lines play to a draw. I'm not against that at all.

 

[Highlander]

In a way this week was a perfect microcosm of being a Leaf fan. On the one hand an embarrassing loss that will provide much grist for the mill of the people inclined to laugh at the team. On the other, they take 5 of 6 points from a hated division rivalry and a lot of fans will have way more negative to say about the team than positive.

Still, I wouldn't trade being a Leafs fan for anything. Imagine how boring it must be to cheer for anyone else.

Seriously, Nik, God bless you.  I would give you such a mutually supportive bro-hug right now.

Yes a truer thing Nik has never said. Great post.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I've always preferred the Matthews-Nylander and Tavares-Marner combos. I hope they stick.

I agree it might be better for the team's balance but having an elite set-up guy like Marner with maybe the league's best goal scorer is pretty difficult to resist, as we're seeing.

I'd be pretty hesitant to break it up for that reason. Matthews and Marner are having more success together than previous combinations. Tavares-Nylander produced pretty well last season, as well. They're struggling this season, obviously, but there's chemistry there.

I agree. I don't think I'd be changing that top line. Not right now. If the scoring starts to dry up and someone isn't picking up the slack, then you make the move. But as a coach, you don't screw with what's working, to try to fix what isn't. You end up with 2 parts that don't work a lot of the time.