Golden Knights @ Leafs - Nov. 6th, 7:00pm - TSN4, Fan 590

[princedpw]

https://twitter.com/TheFlintor/status/1059966416709922816

Textbook hips into the hands to protect the puck.

This was great but it seems to me anecdotally that Marner does get burned waiting too long in the d zone on the boards like that. He seemed to get burned a lot in previous years. Maybe he is getting better.

 

[lc9]

Heck of a game by Anderson. Was nice to get out to a lead.  Vegas carried the play but leafs forced a lot of shots to the outside. 

Just got to hang in there until Nylander and Matthews returns.

 

[herman]

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2018/11/07/game-15-review-toronto-maple-leafs-3-vs-vegas-golden-knights-1/

These are really good game notes.

5.  The game is really easy for Mitch Marner with the puck on his stick right now ? he?s constantly creating time and space and waiting until a play develops, and that comes from the new level of confidence. The game has really slowed down for him in his third year in the league. There were several great examples in this game ? one in the offensive zone, where he held onto it an extra couple of seconds until Tavares opened up at the back post, and another where he sliced through a busy neutral zone by intentionally trimming off speed with an ?S? turn before exploding up ice.

He uses changes of pace so effectively ? gearing down, drawing in a defender, and then beating him wide; or the opposite, where he backs the defender off by making him think he?s going to take him wide, only to fade or wiggle away and use the time/space he?s created to his advantage.

He?s also generating strips tracking back and forcing turnovers on the forecheck simply by closing down time and space, sticking on a defender?s hip and giving him nowhere to go ? it?s all angles, leverage, and strength on his edges (his size or lack thereof is irrelevant).

I said this of Marner before he joined the Leafs for real two seasons ago: the kid knows where everyone on the ice is, their trajectories, and for the most part what they intend to do. That's his 'magic' and it's just a science that most players don't have access to.

What he has added to his game this season is a stronger stick when protecting the puck (comes with adding strength overall), and judo-ing through the checks. In prior seasons, he'd rely more on slipping through the gaps (smaller player advantage) if possible. Now he also takes pins with the right body position to allow him advantageous leverage (see above gif) and it opens up opportunities for his linemates.

It's something that's much more noticeable up and down the lineup this season. We're a smaller team so we're not rattling the boards to knock the puck loose. Our checks are aiming for the sticks and hands and just squeezing them out of space to play the puck to free it for a teammate.

 

[Arn]

Based on his goal, I'd actually like to see Marner shoot a little more at times. He is always a pass first kind of guy and you need those too but with that shot, using it a little more might add a little extra for him

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Based on his goal, I'd actually like to see Marner shoot a little more at times. He is always a pass first kind of guy and you need those too but with that shot, using it a little more might add a little extra for him

Actually it's funny you mention, I got the impression he was in fact shooting a bit more over the last few games - I was thinking perhaps the coaching staff were encouraging him to mix it up a bit as the opposition is likely expecting a pass rather than a shot. That said, his shot is accurate, but doesn't seem to generate much velocity, unless he's shooting at speed. I've noticed he shoots differently than the new sniping standard of leaning on the stick and snapping it off the bend, like Matthews and Kessel.. his shot looks more like the older style of cradle/acceleration along the ice wrister, which I'm sure he'll work on as he gets stronger.

 

[Arn]

Possibly shooting more to make up for Matthews and Nylander being out?

You're right about the velocity but equally if he's able to pick the corners and time his shots to go through screens and gaps like he can with his passes it could be an effective enough weapon to put enough doubt in the defenders minds to stop them automatically taking the passing lane away.

 

[cabber24]

Based on his goal, I'd actually like to see Marner shoot a little more at times. He is always a pass first kind of guy and you need those too but with that shot, using it a little more might add a little extra for him

Was that a clean shot or did it ramp off the defender's stick?

 

[Guilt Trip]

Based on his goal, I'd actually like to see Marner shoot a little more at times. He is always a pass first kind of guy and you need those too but with that shot, using it a little more might add a little extra for him

Was that a clean shot or did it ramp off the defender's stick?

Clean, toe drag..