Petrielli on the state of the Leafs‘ forward group ahead of the playoffs:
With the way it is configured, it all falls on the top six. You are not going to get much offense from the bottom-six lines. It is just the reality of it, but their top six is really good. Their top six, on paper, is fantastic. The McMann-Tavares-Nylander line is winning their minutes. The top line is a legitimate top line — one of the best in the league.
We have seen this before, but I think it might be the best second line they’ve ever had going into the playoffs.