Leafs Make Several Changes to Lines For Rematch With Sheldon Keefe's New Jersey Devils
After two straight losses, Craig Berube made some significant changes to the Leafs' forward group ahead of Tuesday's clash with Sheldon Keefe and the New Jersey Devils.
The Leafs managed to score just 3 goals over the weekend while allowing 8 goals against, leading to back-to-back regulation losses for the first time in almost two months.
Their ability to generate offense, particularly with the secondary contributors, has been a major point of discussion in the Toronto media and it would seem Berube has had enough of the lack of support the 'Core Four' are getting.
At practice on Monday, Berube shuffled his forward lines significantly. Matthew Knies was moved off the top line in favour of Max Pacioretty who returned from a hamstring injury Saturday. This remains in line with what we saw on Saturday.
While the top two lines swapped left wingers, the bottom-six had a variety of combinations during line rushes as Alexander Nylander and the previously scratched Nicholas Robertson took reps on the third line with Fraser Minten and Pontus Holmberg.
Steven Lorentz looks to be anchoring the left wing on the fourth line for tomorrow's game after getting a brief bump up to the third line over the past couple of games. Lorentz and Connor Dewar were a constant during line drills, but had Nikita Grebenkin and Ryan Reaves rotating through on the right wing.
Additionally, Max Domi, who is expected to return this week, took some reps with John Tavares and William Nylander on the second line.
On the back end, Morgan Rielly continued to skate with Philippe Myers, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson remained with Chris Tanev as the Leafs continue to exercise caution with Jake McCabe.
Given the rotation of wingers on the third and fourth lines, Berube seems to be leaving his options open until the Leafs confirm Domi's status for Tuesday's game.
Should Domi return, it will be interesting to see who Berube chooses to take out of the lineup for the 29-year-old.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 9 | 3139 ANSWERS Leafs Make Several Changes to Lines For Rematch With Sheldon Keefe's New Jersey Devils Did Craig Berube make the right decision to take Matthew Knies off the top line? | ||
| Yes, they need to change something to score | 772 | 24.6 % |
| No, he's been playing well | 1349 | 43 % |
| If it works I won't complain | 600 | 19.1 % |
| It won't matter, the bottom six is the problem | 418 | 13.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
