It was a pretty bold statement for Craig Berube to say he’s tired of trying to figure out the Maple Leafs top line. He also had a pretty direct criticism in that they were only providing one and done chances and couldn’t sustain pressure. After that frustration it seemed like for two periods that problem was gone as William Nylander joined Auston Matthews on Friday night and made a strong case for what he brings that no other player can. Berube didn’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that putting the Leafs two best offensive players together would result in better offensive outcomes, but it looked like what the Leafs needed. Nylander’s injury halted that and despite Matthews’ line looking okay with Nylander on Saturday night, with Nylander likely to return the lineup, returning him to the top line also makes sense.

Based on the evidence of Monday’s practice, it looks like Nylander’s return will include a return to the Leafs’ top line. Line rushes had Nylander rotating in for Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson getting reps next to Matthews. A rotation of McMann and Robertson on the top line also makes sense as it allows Berube to go with whichever one of them is the hot hand or freshest legs and relegating the other to a more sheltered fourth line role or situation usage capacity as well. Neither McMann or Robertson are 20 minute a night players and this brings some potential balance.

The Leafs also now have a couple of games of evidence that shows that Knies, Maccelli, and Tavares works too. Putting Knies and Maccelli against second pairing defencemen instead of top pairing guys is right sizing Maccelli, while giving Knies a pretty nice advantage. The Leafs exploring this line clicking as well as having the Joshua-Roy-Cowan line clicking is as close as the Leafs have been to functioning top nine forward group this season. Games against the Flames and Blue Jackets should only build on that confidence.

Now back to Nylander. He really is the missing piece on what was specifically irking Craig Berube on the top line and that is the sustained pressure. Nylander is one of the best players in the league at controlled offensive zone entries. Entering the zone is the best possible way to set up Auston Matthews for success as well as Nylander being able to create for himself puts Toronto in a situation where you can almost view the line as upgraded (offensively) post Marner, as Nylander won’t exclusively be viewed as pass first.

Nylander brings the ability to cycle the puck at a level that can still allude top defensive competition and it isn’t limiting Matthews to puck moving options like Cowan, Domi, or Maccelli that might be stymied by the level of competition that Matthews draws.

The worry is that the Leafs are putting all their eggs in one basket, but a two point night for Knies and Tavares on Saturday should offer encouragement, as does the fact that Toronto is now able to push offensive players like Robertson, Domi, and Jarnkrok down into sheltered fourth line opportunities that balances out the offensive opportunities and potentially kill the lack of secondary scoring narrative.

Long term, the Leafs wanting to spread their offence around makes sense and the goal should be getting the Leafs to a place where the team can be just as successful with Matthews and Nylander apart as well as together, but with a 4-4-1 start, the Leafs could use a little push. That little push also buys Brad Treliving a bit more time to explore the top six forward market, something he has acknowledged as an area needing to be addressed. The Leafs just need to a few more options. While Domi, Robertson, McMann, Maccelli, Cowan, and Jarnkrok can all play in the top six, they are too much of a drop off from Marner to be top line players. They can handle the middle of the lineup with ease, though. Knies is a top a line player but unfortunately, he’s not the play creator that Matthews needs at the moment. Nylander is that guy for now and the Leafs need to run with it.