A first line in the NHL with significant potential is typically perceived as one that scores a lot of points. But what happens if the line that scores goals frequently also concedes goals at the same pace? Contrast that with a line that almost never concedes goals but scoring fewer goals overall. Which line makes the biggest difference in wins between the two?
This Saturday night in Montreal was the culmination of the greatest tradition in the history of the National Hockey League. At the Bell Centre, it featured the Toronto Maple Leafs versus the Montreal Canadiens. There hasn’t been any disagreement over the past three years on which of the two clubs is superior.
With a rebuild, the Canadiens are attempting to narrow that deficit. But in this one, Toronto prevailed 3-2, and they were just one goal shy for the twenty-first time this season.
Given that the Canadiens are in the midst of their rebuild and that their top line consists of Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Cole Caufield, those questions become relevant. Whether they are really the best line is a topic of intense discussion. It’s an argument based on points. The debate is over based on goals for versus goals against.
Suzuki’s goal totals pale in comparison to those of Auston Matthews, the best sniper in hockey, who scores goals at a rate that approaches Wayne Gretzky’s greatest seasons.
