Quote:
Originally Posted by JTech780
5v5 Playoff Points:
Johnny Gaudreau 4 points in 30 games
Sean Monahan 4 points in 30 games
Elias Lindholm 2 points in 15 games
Matthew Tkachuk 3 points in 15 games
Mikael Backlund 5 points in 30 games
This core isn't getting the job done when the games matter most. I know it won't happen, but if this team wants to win a Cup they need to find a new core group of players.
I know it's not a fair comparison because MacKinnon is probably the best player in the game but he has 26 points at 5v5 in 38 career playoff games. Ryan O'Reilly had 16 5v5 points in 26 games last year on the way to winning a Cup.
To me it shows that the top players on this team aren't even coming close to being good enough.
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The core certainly hasn't gotten it done to date.
One thing I continue to find amazing is how much of a pass Lindholm has gotten for that fact. In these past 10 games, I can't think of ANY instances where he was effective in the offensive zone.
I know that he had personal issues, and I give him a pass for that. My point is: I think people are putting too much of the blame on Gaudreau. I saw lots of compete from Gaudreau, but the line was completely ineffective.
I think they would have looked a lot better with Toffoli on the line, retrieving pucks and going to the front of the net, than what they had.
You try to find a way to make your core players effective and successful before you throw in the towel and start over.