'They Want The Puck A Lot': Why The Maple Leafs' Experimental Second Line Of Nylander, Tavares, And Marner Failed Against Canucks

The trio had two shots for and five against in 8:45 of ice time at five-on-five in their loss to the Canucks.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube broke up the William Nylander, John Tavares, and Mitch Marner second line, and it could be for good.

The trio was split up entering the third period of Saturday's game against the Vancouver Canucks. According to NaturalStatTrick.com, the trio had a 35.65 expected goals-for percentage at five-on-five, the lowest of Toronto's four lines who played over six minutes in their 2-1 loss to the Canucks.

"I don't know [why it didn't quite work], it was two games, or not even full two games. I think just for me a lot of it is a guy getting in there on the forecheck and getting to the net and just being that kind of rock," Berube said post-game. 

"They all want the puck a lot. It's a lot. But, hey, it wasn't a big sample size. I made the switch right at the end of the second period and just kind of juggled some lines in the third a little bit."

Loading up a line like that is a fascinating experiment given the talent all three players share. Nylander, Tavares, and Marner have contributed over one-third of Toronto's points this season (38 percent) and had rarely played together before the team's win over Seattle on Thursday.

Although the underlying numbers have been disappointing, Berube did not commit to this being the final time we see this trio of players together.

"Maybe. Who knows, right?" he said when asked if he'd try this line again. 

"We'll see down the road what happens and where it goes. I mean, you're always kind of moving guys around a little bit and trying to find a little more offense. We just couldn't find the back end enough tonight."

Berube reverted the top-six to the usual Matthew Knies, Auston Matthews, and Marner first line and Max Pacioretty, Tavares, and Nylander second line following the second intermission.

Nylander had a breakaway in the third period which he couldn't capitalize on. Toronto had seven more shots in the period, tied with Vancouver, but in the end, couldn't find the back of the net to send the game to overtime.

The Maple Leafs end their Western road trip with three out of four wins, 14 goals, and a red-hot power play which capitalized 45.5 percent of the time, the best in the NHL since Jan. 30.

What did Berube think of the road trip as a whole?

"Very satisfied," he said.