Leafs announce lines and pairings ahead of tonight's game against Buffalo
During Thursday night's game against the Boston Bruins, Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe put his lines in a blender which saw Matthew Knies play with John Tavares and William Nylander and Tyler Bertuzzi skate with Ryan Reaves and Pontus Holmberg on the fourth line. Many were surprised by the demotion to the fourth line for Bertuzzi, but following the game, Keefe explained the reason behind the move.
Ahead of tonight's game against the Buffalo Sabres, Bertuzzi was seen taking line rushes with Tavares and Nylander which would mean that Keefe is giving him the opportunity to simplify his game again tonight. If he is unable to do so, it will not be a surprise to see Knies elevated alongside Nylander and Tavares again.
In addition to promoting Bertuzzi back to the top-six, John Klingberg was promoted back into a top-four role on the blueline with Timothy Liljegren sidelined with an ankle injury. That means that William Lagesson, who was surprisingly solid on Thursday, will pair with recently recalled Max Lajoie. Simon Benoit skated as the team's 7th defenseman during line rushes.
Lajoie will be making his Leafs debut tonight after appearing in seven games with the Marlies. The 25-year-old last played in the NHL last season, getting into three games with the Carolina Hurricanes.
| POLL | ||
4 NOVEMBRE | 324 ANSWERS Leafs announce lines and pairings ahead of tonight's game against Buffalo Should Keefe have given Matthew Knies a full game with Nylander and Tavares? | ||
| Yes | 270 | 83.3 % |
| No | 54 | 16.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
