Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet outlines the challenges of defending Matthews, Marner

Toronto Maple Leafs forwards Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are coming a tough defensive showing against the Carolina Hurricanes, but they’re the primary focus and a force to be reckoned with for Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, entering Saturday’s matchup.

Tocchet outlined the dangers the Maple Leafs present during Saturday afternoon’s media availability, and his focus is on Toronto’s top line, consisting of Matthews, Marner and Matthew Knies.

“Chief (Berube) has done a great job,” Tocchet said. “They’re winning different ways. You know when you have a good team is when sometimes when you don’t play your best you’re winning, and when they’re playing their best they’re a formidable opponent.”

“The one thing with them with Matthews and Marner, especially… they have nothing, they can make something out of it. They can make high-end plays. There are moments in the game where they make them. You always have to know where they are on the ice, and you have to make sure you play above them.”

Matthews and Marner both posted a -6 against the Hurricanes on Thursday, but it may have been an anomaly in some ways. After returning to the lineup on January 4 against the Boston Bruins, Matthews has posted three goals and eight points in four games, recording at least a point in each contest, while Marner is earning some mid-season consideration for the Hart Trophy.

It’s a quick turnaround for the Canucks, who were blanked 2-0 by the Hurricanes on Friday evening. Tocchet downplayed any concerns about the tight schedule, as the Canucks arrived in Toronto in the early afternoon, after Toronto’s morning skate concluded.

“These things happen to a lot different teams. You just gotta deal with it. It’s not even in our mind right now. It really isn’t,” Tocchet said.

Toronto and Vancouver are both coming off tough losses to Carolina and it could be a high-event, offensive game, with Dennis Hildeby in goal for the Maple Leafs, while Kevin Lankinen gets the start for the Canucks.