Matthews and Marchenko: Something Might Be Starting Here

Something’s going on with Auston Matthews and Kirill Marchenko. I don’t mean that they have suddenly become the most dangerous line in hockey. It’s way too early for that. And the Maple Leafs are looking for their second win of the season.

But sometimes you can see the beginnings of a relationship between two hockey players before you can see it on the scoresheet.

Both Matthews and Marchenko scored against the Senators.

Saturday against Ottawa, both Matthews and Marchenko scored. Matthews got his first goal of the season on a beautiful tip of a Morgan Rielly shot. Marchenko scored his first as a Maple Leaf on the power play, taking a pass from Darren Raddysh and quickly going to his backhand. Two goals. Two different kinds of goals.

And that’s part of what interests me. Matthews has always been Matthews. He can shoot from just about anywhere, find little pockets of ice, and make a goalie look silly. Marchenko brings something different. He’s a big, strong player who can get to the net, handle the puck and make things happen around the crease.

So now they have to figure each other out. That takes time.

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What would make the Maple Leafs duo a great hockey line?

A good hockey line isn't just three good players put together. It takes a little learning. Where does Matthews want the puck? When does Marchenko drive the net? Who goes first on the forecheck? Who hangs back? Who expects the other guy to make the play?

Those things don't show up in a box score. And I think that’s why I’m interested in watching this particular combination develop. Matthews is coming off a frustrating season in which injuries limited him to 60 games and 27 goals. Marchenko has arrived in Toronto with a lot to prove, and perhaps a chance to play a bigger role than he had in Columbus.

Neither guy needs to be the other guy. That may be the best part.

It might take time for Matthews and Marchenko to learn to play together.

If Matthews can be Matthews and Marchenko can be Marchenko, while gradually learning how the other guy plays, the Maple Leafs might have something pretty interesting here. Not a finished product. Just the beginning of something.

And sometimes, I think, that's the more fun part to watch.

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