Some Leafs lineup changes ahead of Sunday's game against the Islanders
After beating the Sens in an entertaining Battle of Ontario last night, the Leafs made the quick trip down the 401 home to prepare for a rare Sunday game. The Leafs will be taking on the New York Islanders tonight at Scotiabank Arena, looking to set franchise records in points and wins and eliminate the Islanders from the playoffs all at the same time.
It was an optional morning skate today given the late arrival home, but based on who was there and who was on the ice longest, it looks like rookie forward Nick Abruzzese will draw back into the lineup and vet Kyle Clifford will find himself watching from the press box. Additionally, Wayne Simmonds also left early which is an indication that Spezza will also be coming out of the lineup.
Keefe flip-flopped his middle six midway through the game yesterday reuniting Nylander with JT and Kerfoot and sending Mikheyev back down to the third line to play with Kampf and Engvall. It worked extremely well and the Leafs took control of the game after the switch was made, so it would not be surprising to see those changes stick for tonight's game.
The Kampf, Mikheyev and Engvall line will once again be used to drive play to the offensive zone against a tight checking and trap playing Islanders team, which should free up space for the top 6 in the offensive zone or at least give them more offensive zone starts.
Per Friday's announcement that Erik Kallgren would start Saturday in Ottawa, Jack Campbell is expected to draw back into the lineup for the Buds against the Isles on Sunday.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 17 | 285 ANSWERS Some Leafs lineup changes ahead of Sunday's game against the Islanders Where is the best spot for William Nylander? | ||
| Second line with JT and Kerfoot | 124 | 43.5 % |
| Third line with Kampf and Engvall | 161 | 56.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
