The Toronto Maple Leafs best players, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, need to be better. Simple as that.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have not had a good start to their season, and despite some bright spots throughout the lineup, there are clearly some red flags at the top of the Leafs lineup.
William Nylander is having a Hart-Trophy caliber season, and John Tavares is having a strong start to his year, despite being 33 years old.
But the other two members of the Toronto Maple Leafs “core four”, those being the aforementioned Matthews and Marner, need to step it up.
Toronto Maple Leafs: A Message For Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner
Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner may be the top 2 players in franchise history when it’s all said and done. There’s a good chance they set more records and even reach the top of the franchise’s goals, assists, and points leaders.
But their play as of recent has been extremely subpar. Despite Matthews sitting near the NHL’s top goal scorers, he only has one goal and one assist in his last seven games, which is far too inconsistent. We all know what Matthews is capable of, he just needs to put it all together.
Mitch Marner on the other hand, has not been nearly his normal self this season. Despite Matthews’ inconsistency, at least he has shown flashes of his former MVP self, whereas Marner has not been near what he is capable of.
Marner has 20 points in 19 games this year, a good stat line for sure, but not up to his usual standards. Marner hasn’t scored since November 6th, however, as well as going pointless in 5 of his last seven games. (Prior to last night, which this article was written ahead of).
100% of Marner and Matthews problems are caused by the Leafs garbage blue line.
— Editor in Leaf (@EditorinLeaf) November 28, 2023
For half his minutes, Marner has played with Rielly and has a 57% xG
For the other half, when Rielly isn't on the ice, 42% xG. #LeafsForever
These are the two players the Leafs are counting on to make the team a serious threat. In terms of the teams forwards, the previously mentioned Tavares and Nylander have been doing their part and much more, and the third line of Max Domi, Nick Robertson and Calle Jarnkrok have been contributing plenty of goals themselves.
The Leafs need Matthews and Marner to be better, simple as that.
This is a duo that should be rivalling those at the top of the league. These are two perennial top-10 scorers in the NHL who have not been doing their part recently.
These players should be striking fear into other teams, but they have not been doing that.
In short, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner need to step it up.
I’m sure they know it, we all do at this point.
However, I’m also sure they can pick it up and put the team on their backs. We all know they are more than capable of doing that, but we just need to see it happen.
The Leafs played the Florida Panthers last night with a chance for Matthews and Marner to prove everyone wrong.