Sheldon Keefe confirms that there are changes coming for the Domi line
Photo credit: NHL
Over their last four games, the Toronto Maple Leafs third line of Nick Robertson, Max Domi and Calle Jarnkrok have combined for just 6 points and a minus -5 rating. Domi and Jarnkrok are pointless in four of their last five games, while Robertson is pointless in his last three.
Following the 9-3 thumping in Buffalo Thursday night, Leafs head coach made one significant line change swapping Mitch Marner and William Nylander, but while the 3rd and 4th lines remained intact, Keefe also admitted that he thought about changing the third line entirely.
"The line itself I talked over the last day or so about making some changes there as well and kind of shaking things up. Ultimately, I just decided to go back with Nylander next to Tavares as my main change. The line itself, especially as we are on the road again tonight, is on my mind a bit. As I zoom out and look at it as a whole, the line has been productive for us, but I am not necessarily happy with where it is trending."
Keefe wasn't entirely negative when commenting on the current third line. In fact, he praised Domi for his recent play.
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"The line itself has been okay for us. Max himself is doing what he does. When he gets a chance to make a play, he's made a play. He scored a big goal for us on the power play the other night. He had a big night against Pittsburgh when we needed him to step up in Matthews' absence."
With the Leafs off until Wednesday, when they welcome the reeling Ottawa Senators to Scotiabank Arena, Keefe will have a few days to mull over his options and decide what the best course of action would be for the trio, whether that be keeping the unit together for the time being, or making some changes, as he had pondered this week.
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POLL |
24 DECEMBRE | 593 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe confirms that there are changes coming for the Domi line Should Keefe break up his third line? |
Yes | 328 | 55.3 % |
No | 265 | 44.7 % |
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