Ahead of tonight's game between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice defended Mitch Marner's role in the Leafs-Bruins series.
While addressing the media, Maurice brought up the series-deciding goal that propelled the Bruins to the second round, suggesting that criticism of Marner may be unjust.
Paul Maurice on the OT goal Saturday and Mitch Marner ⬇️
Marner, along with other Leafs players like Morgan Rielly and William Nylander, faced scrutiny for their performances in the series. However, Maurice argued that Marner's role in the decisive goal shouldn't be overstated.
Mitch Marner is getting roasted for being a spectator on Pasternak's series-winning goal - and rightly so - but Morgan Rielly was just as laissez-faire. So sof', doze guy.
According to hockey coach and technology developer Andrew Brewer, Marner wouldn't necessarily be responsible for defending that play if the Leafs were employing a 1-2-2 setup, a common strategy in the NHL.
Paul Maurice is spot on in this quote!
The Leafs run a 1-2-2, and as he alludes to, it was the change by Bertuzzi that led to the chaos in the Neutral Zone. Although it's a bad look, in Toronto's system that's not Mitch's guy!
Despite the analysis, the Bruins have advanced while the Leafs have not, making this discussion part of the teams' history.
