Mitch Marner catching heat for unacceptable performance in Game 7

The Toronto Maple Leafs got so close to slaying their playoffs dragon, again. David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins made sure that didn't happen as he scored the overtime winner due to Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner letting him get into the slot.

Shortly after overtime began, Marner hit the ice as David Pastrnak was beginning a play. While it seemed the Bruins were going for a simple dump in play, by design, they wanted to drive the Leafs' defence away from the net.


Pastrnak, who drove the Leafs net, retrieved the puck off the end boards and got loose from Mitch Marner. This allowed him to walk into the slot, a spot he's incredibly dangerous from, and score the winning goal.



Marner, who seemed he had different things in mind, chose to stop skating after Pastrnak had passed him. This is a simple cut-across defensive play Marner has to make that he would've learned in youth hockey.

This is a page right out of Pierre-Luc Dubois' playbook, do just enough to get a paycheque and put on your cruise control even if fans are mad at you. Marner skated gingerly toward the eventual winning play as he felt he was going to get hit by Charlie McAvoy.

Marner might be remembered in Toronto for this if he moves on, similar to Dubois' minimal effort play before he left Columbus. Marner has one year left and is eligible to sign an extension on July 1st. Many believe he won't make it to training camp and the core four may become the core three this summer.