The Toronto Maple Leafs are grappling with the daunting task of slowing down the Colorado Avalanche’s ace player, Nathan MacKinnon. Leaf’s head coach, Craig Berube, humorously admitted to the challenge, as MacKinnon’s prowess on the rink has left many adversaries searching for answers.
Last year, MacKinnon was bestowed with the prestigious Hart Trophy after finishing second in league scoring. His performance this year has been nothing short of phenomenal, as he currently leads the NHL in points. When questioned if MacKinnon is having a better year than the previous one, Jared Bednar, Avalanche’s coach, affirmed this notion. He attributed part of MacKinnon’s success to the team’s initial struggles with injuries, which placed more responsibility on key players like Nate and Cale Makar to secure wins.
Makar, who holds an impressive record as the leading defenceman in scoring, has observed MacKinnon’s relentless pursuit of improvement. He notes that MacKinnon has diversified his shots and developed a more competitive edge. Avalanche winger Jonathan Drouin further emphasizes that MacKinnon’s game has evolved considerably in the recent years, as he adeptly finds late players and makes plays.
Berube advised that dealing with MacKinnon requires the same strategy as playing against another NHL heavyweight, Connor McDavid. He suggests that the best course of action is to stay on top of him, as these skilled players are fast, fiercely competitive, and exceedingly skilled. The Leafs are expected to rely heavily on their top line, including Selke Trophy finalists Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, to neutralize MacKinnon.
Leafs defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson praised Matthews and Marner for their dedication to defending and playing against other top lines. He highlighted their competitiveness and daily commitment to winning, which are essential traits for top players.
MacKinnon’s average ice time per game is 22 minutes and 52 seconds, leading all NHL forwards. He spends 19 minutes at even strength, while Matthews and Marner clock in at around 16 minutes. Thus, it will necessitate more than one line to thwart MacKinnon’s advances.
John Tavares, Leafs second-line centre, acknowledges the immense challenge of playing against a player of MacKinnon’s caliber. He emphasized that one must be at their best to match up to him.
Marner, who has been praised by Makar for his competitive spirit and commitment, leads the Leafs in scoring with 82 points. Even in a contract year fraught with potential distractions, Marner has continued to deliver excellent performances, securing five points in five games since the trade deadline.
Tavares, who is also in the final year of his contract, commended Marner’s ability to focus amidst the noise. He described the passion and competitiveness required to play at this level and for a club like the Leafs.
In preparation for their upcoming back-to-back games, the Leafs held an optional skate on Wednesday morning, with none of the regulars participating. Berube explained this as a reflection of their schedule, as they had a skate the previous day.
As the Leafs strategize to counter MacKinnon’s formidable skills, fans can expect thrilling games filled with high-caliber performances from both teams.