Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube Reveals Rationale Behind Controversial Marner, Matthews Decision

After coming out of the gates strong to start the second round of the playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs had gained a lot of respect and admiration from the hockey world after jumping out to a 2-0 series lead. They had pinned the Florida Panthers onto the ropes and just needed to continue playing the same way to finish the job.

Unfortunately, the Panthers rallied with an overtime win in Game 3 before back-to-back dominant outings in Games 4 and 5 to take a 3-2 lead back to Florida, with the Leafs now on the brink of elimination.

Head coach Craig Berube doesn't seem all too fazed by the situation and has only made a few lineup changes this series with Nicholas Robertson and David Kampf coming in for Pontus Holmberg and Calle Jarnkrok in Game 5.

He has taken a lot of heat from the fan base and the media for not making many in-game adjustments or splitting up Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner with both of them having been no-shows in the last few games.

Even heading into their elimination game tonight, the fiery bench boss has kept them on the same line, but has given his rationale on the decision:

As short and succinct as that message is, it speaks volumes into how much he trusts his top players to perform the way they should, including in crunch time and with their season on the line. In essence, your best players have to be your best players.

After great first round performances from Matthews and Marner, they've both been asleep at the wheel against Florida and need to show up in the biggest way tonight to keep their season alive. Matthews has just 3 assists in 5 games, while Marner has 1 goal and 3 assists after they both combined for 15 points against Ottawa in 6 games.

It's not going to be easy, but Matthews and Marner need to lead the way tonight and fend off the hungry Panthers, who are looking to clinch their third successive Eastern Conference Finals berth.