Keefe hints that a major roster shake-up may be coming
For the first time in a long time, not including the power play obviously, Sheldon Keefe reunited Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews during last night's game against the Bruins. The move led to the tying goal for the Leafs, scored by Matthews and assisted by Marner.
Aside from the odd shift together over the past few months after a penalty kill, this was the first time we saw Matthews and Marner play together at 5-on-5 in a few months. When asked about the switch Sheldon Keefe said, "It's situational tonight. I thought we needed just a little bit more of a push in the third period ... In terms of what we'll do going forward, I don't know. Let's digest this one first."
Reading between the lines, it sounds like Keefe was pleased with the William Nylander and Marner swap in Boston and he may continue to keep Marner and Matthews together. As much success as they had together last year, with both setting career highs in goals and points, Marner has helped rejuvenate John Tavares who has 44 points in 44 games including 20 goals on the season already.
While Matthews and Marner have magic together, Nylander, Matthews and Michael Bunting have been producing at a very high rate as well with Nylander on pace to smash his career highs in goals and points. It will be interesting to see what line combinations the Leafs roll out during practice on Monday and whether or not Keefe decides to reunite Marner and Matthews for more than a period.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 15 | 783 ANSWERS Keefe hints that a major roster shake-up may be coming Should the Leafs put Matthews and Marner back together? | ||
| Yes | 536 | 68.5 % |
| No | 247 | 31.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
