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Best forward duo in the Atlantic Division?

August 21, 2019, 11:13 AM ET [53 Comments]
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Todd Cordell

Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.

They've been one of the league's best duos for years now and they're showing no signs of slowing down.

Last season they helped the Boston Bruins control 56% of the shot attempts, 56% of the expected goals, and 58% of the *actual* goals over better than 700 minutes together at 5v5. For perspective of how dominant they were, the Tampa Bay Lightning lapped the field in the regular season and their team 5v5 numbers weren't as good in any of those three categories. The Bergeron-Marchand duo was *that* good while spending a good chunk of their time matching up against the opposition's top players.

They may not be the flashiest duo out there – Toronto has two that probably best them in that regard – but there's no denying the results. The throne is theirs for another year.

James Tanner

I think it's Auston Matthews and William Nylander.

Since entering the NHL, Matthews is the 5v5 goal scoring leader - no one has scored more goals per minute than he has.

Additionally, he's fifth in p/60 over that same period. His most common linemate for these last three years has been William Nylander, and both players significantly increase their production and impact when paired together.

Nylander was a little off last year - but he was still above 50% in all major statistical differentials - and both players totals suffered because of it.

Nylander posted back-to-back 60 point seasons to start his career, and in his sophomore year, he was only 2 5v5 points outside the top ten in the NHL, despite Matthews missing a quarter of the season.

He's one of the best possession driving players in the league, and one of the best scoring chance creators. Together he and Matthews are the best duo in the Atlantic, possibly the league.

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