Analyst Rips Mitch Marner Over Lack of Intensity In Thursday's Loss to the Florida Panthers
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Former NHLer and current analyst Carter Hutton shredded Mitch Marner over his lack of intensity during Thursday's playoff-like game against the Florida Panthers.
While Chris Tanev returned to the lineup on Thursday after missing the last six games, the Leafs were missing a key contributor up front.
It wasn't because Marner was out of the lineup, but rather because he was invisible most of the game. Marner, who had three goals and 4 points in his previous 3 games, was hardly noticeable in last night's loss to the Panthers and he has received some harsh criticsm for his performance.
Former NHLer, now analyst, Carter Hutton wasn't the only one who noticed, but he did go on a rant about Marner's disappearance in another playoff-like game.
"We've seen it before and there's reason to worry. It's the same thing over and over again and for me. What I see from Mitch Marner is the fact he's just a perimeter guy at all costs. Teams know that they're going to grind him out. Think about the interference we saw tonight. That just gets heightened in the playoffs. That's playoff hockey and that tonight was not playoff hockey from superstars. Yes, it was a playoff-like game, but your big boys weren't there."
In fairness to Marner, Hutton also called out Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares, though not by name. Hutton did, however, make a very good point in that Marner was out-played along the boards and had no time and space to do anything, which is what has happened in the most recent years of playoff disappointment.
Thursday's game was a measuring stick for the Leafs and while they played a decent game, they once again failed to show they can play with the intensity they need to have in the playoffs and the stars, for the most part, disappeared when they needed them most.
The Panthers now hold a four-point lead over the Leafs for tops in the Atlantic Division with two more meetings before the end of the season, which could decide first in the division heading into the playoffs.
| POLL | ||
MARS 14 | 1857 ANSWERS Analyst Rips Mitch Marner Over Lack of Intensity In Thursday's Loss to the Florida Panthers Did you agree with Carter Hutton's take? | ||
| Yes | 1082 | 58.3 % |
| No | 475 | 25.6 % |
| Sort of | 300 | 16.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
