Auston Matthews & Mitch Marner Are Better Off Without Each Other, Analyst Claims
Toronto Maple Leafs stars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner typically play on a line together but one analyst believes they are much better separated.
Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner did not play on the same line last night as the Maple Leafs took on the Seattle Kraken.
The latter had missed a game against the Calgary Flames, and with Max Domi rising to the occasion on the top line, Marner was assigned to the right wing next to William Nylander and John Tavares.
Auston Matthews & Mitch Marner lead the Maple Leafs
Marner and Matthews have always been paired together, but according to Justin Bourne, it might be time for Craig Berube to separate them permanently.
As Bourne explains, the two players are actually better without the other next to them. In fact, Matthews becomes a better passer without Marner and Marner becomes a better shooter without Matthews.
Here's the interesting part that I think you'll like. Matthews when he's with Marner has 80 goals and 48 assists, without him he has 9 goals and 13 assists, which is more assists than goals, interesting. Marner with Matthews, 31 goals and 100 assists, and without Matthews he has 11 goals and 13 assists, almost a 1-1 ratio.
If you want to get the best out of these two guys, this is the thing we hear from people, Marner has to shoot the puck more, Matthews needs to be more of a distributor, separate the two of them and you do that. It's there for you."
It has been a career-year for Marner who currently has 71 points in 53 games. Meanwhile, the captain has also been solid despite the injuries he has faced this season.
With the playoffs fast approaching, head coach Craig Berube will definitely have some very tough choices to make.
That said, the team's offense is firing on all cylinders right now and have even won three games in a row.
They have won more game until the 4 Nations Face-Off and that match is against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.
If the Leafs can make it four in a row, that will be very advantageous in terms of the Atlantic Division standings.
