Elliotte Friedman Notices Something in Overtime Winner vs. Rangers That Feels Inevitable
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NHL insider Elliotte Friedman believes that if the Toronto Maple Leafs have the answer to their top line; and it starts with stacking the deck once again.
There's been a lot of shuffling thus far for the Toronto Maple Leafs when it comes to their lineup. Injuries have caused some kinks in the chain, but it seems like Craig Berube runs a different line every shift, and no one feels comfortable.
But one insider might have the answer to their problems.
Elliotte Friedman Believes Nylander Needs To Join Maple Leafs Top Line
Something needs to change soon if they want to hang around the top of the Atlantic Division, but if NHL insider Elliotte Friedman had his way, he would load up the top line.
Speaking on Sportsnet's FAN 590 recently, Friedman explained that Toronto's OT winner against New York had a different feel to it, and mentioned that William Nylander's placement with Auston Matthews is going to lead to the inevitable:
To me, it's obvious that they're still trying to find the identity, and when I watched that overtime winner [Thursday night], I know it's not the same, but don't you guys think it's inevitable that Matthews and Nylander start playing together more?
It wouldn't be too surprising to see Craig Berube use Nylander on the top line more, and we've seen that recently over the last couple games they seem to be getting more acquainted with each other.
Toronto Needs To Give Nylander First Line Chance
Given that the Maple Leafs need an infusion of offense in their top-six with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, why not throw Nylander there?
They have 222 games played together on the same line, and their possession numbers are fantastic with both a positive Corsi and Fenwick rating, as well as having nearly a 65% xGF rate; they are dominant.
Plus, they have a very solid shot percentage of 11.79% together, and the on-ice save percentage on 92.39 means they are wonderful at playing defense as well; they neutralize chances and don't give up any high-danger looks.
With Nyladner showing more of a playmaking acumen this season (11 points, 9 assists), he would be able to quickly weave in and out of traffic and find Matthews; something we saw a taste of on Thursday.
Why It Matters
So with the numbers backing up the idea, and clearly their chemistry able to find them success, it would be in the best interest of Craig Berube to give William Nylander his first line chance.
As Toronto goes deeper into the season, finding a top-line replacement for Austin Matthews is going to get harder and harder.
Which is why they don't need to look far, because they have Nylander waiting in the wings just ready to make an even bigger impact.
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