Craig Berube Explains Maple Leafs' OT Power Play Adjustment After John Tavares Exits Game 4
Morgan Rielly played an incredible amount of time during Game 4, and Craig Berube had a reason as to why he utilized his veteran defenseman for almost half the game.
Given how much flak Morgan Rielly got this season, you would never think that given how he's played so far in the postseason. A genuine impact player when Toronto needs him most, Craig Berube has leaned on him heavily this first round, and for good reason.
He's playing solid defense, laying his body on the line, and has been the offensive catalyst Toronto needs, with three points thus far (2G, 1A) and already blocking 10 shots.
Playing nearly 31 minutes in Game 4 thanks to regulation and OT, it was clear that Rielly was the man entrusted to help Toronto get the win.
It didn't happen, and while that isn't the result the team wanted or hoped for, nobody is perfect. But Craig Berube wasn't too concerned, and when John Tavares went down in OT, he knew there was only one person to turn to.
Morgan Rielly Gets Extra Time During Extra Time
You'd think that Toronto was down to three of four defenseman from the way Rielly's minutes were skewed, playing nearly 10 minutes longer than his previous high this series.
But Berube explained the reason he leaned so heavily on his veteran defender is because of how good he's been, and how vital he is to the power play with John Tavares sidelined:
Well, we put Matthews in that area where JT would've been, and we put Nylander and Marner on the flanks.
In my opinion, Mo has had a great series and has done some really good things offensively. It is an easy decision for me. Matthews had two good looks in the slot, which is what we were looking for. It didn't work out.
We could've been a little more direct on that power play. I thought we could've shot a few more pucks and put shots into the net area more to create some chaos there. We'll be better.
In my opinion, Mo has had a great series and has done some really good things offensively. It is an easy decision for me. Matthews had two good looks in the slot, which is what we were looking for. It didn't work out.
We could've been a little more direct on that power play. I thought we could've shot a few more pucks and put shots into the net area more to create some chaos there. We'll be better.
Berube in the regular season would have turned to someone like Bobby McMann or potentially could have put someone like Max Pacioretty on the ice instead, but Rielly has always been part of the special teams unit, even if the team goes for a five forward contingent at times.
14 of Rielly's 41 points came on the power play, and while he isn't going to light the lamp at the rate that John Tavares would, he's a huge part of Toronto's success with the man advantage, and in the playoffs you need to throw the best out there.
It was less about Rielly's placement on the line and more about Toronto's execution overall; he can only do so much.
But what he's done so far is nothing short of great for Craig Berube's squad.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 28 | 623 ANSWERS Craig Berube Explains Maple Leafs' OT Power Play Adjustment After John Tavares Exits Game 4 Who has been the Maple Leafs best defenseman so far in the first round? | ||
| Morgan Rielly | 84 | 13.5 % |
| Chris Tanev | 264 | 42.4 % |
| Jake McCabe | 48 | 7.7 % |
| Simon Benoit | 227 | 36.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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