Video emerges of Mitch Marner's cowardly play in Game 2

The Toronto Maple Leafs were in the Boston Bruins' zone on Monday on a forecheck during the very first shift of the third period in Game 2.

Marner gave chase after the puck was fired in around the boards from the other side of the ice. Marner was ahead in the race and would have been able to grab the puck, but instead of hitting Charlie McAvoy, he pulled up and avoided him instead, just gifting the Bruins the puck.

Former NHLer and ex-Toronto Marlies defenseman Jordan Schmaltz shared the video on social media, revealing that he used to do it on his own from time to time.

Last postseason, it was William Nylander who came under fire for a similar play.

Many people echoed Schmaltz's comments on Marner on Monday, believing that the Leafs star should have taken the hit to make the play. It's this type of cowardly behaviour that has caught up with the Leafs in the past.

I hope this is something that is brought up by Sheldon Keefe and the rest of the coaching staff to Marner ahead of Game 3 on Wednesday in Toronto. That stuff simply can't happen.