Maple Leafs' Line Combinations Against the Montreal Canadiens Suggest One Thing; Chaos
Despite a 4-3 victory their last time out, the Toronto Maple Leafs made one lineup change that should spark fireworks early against the Montreal Canadiens.
One interesting talking point this season has revolved around Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves. The enforcer has yet to drop the gloves and while he's had the opportunity to do so plenty of times this year, he remains without a fighting major on the season.
Even though the Maple Leafs defeated the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, head coach Craig Berube made one change to his lineup that could reflect what he believes will be a physical contest against the red-hot Montreal Canadiens.
Reaves draws back into the lineup for Connor Dewar and will be skating on the fourth line alongside Steven Lorentz and David Kampf. The top-9 remains intact with Matthew Knies, Auston Matthews, and Mitch Marner comprising the top-line, William Nylander on the wing with Max Domi and Bobby McMann one line two, and Pontus Holmberg in between Max Pacioretty and Nick Robertson to round out the 3rd group.
The same can be said about the back-end with Phil Myers skating alongside Morgan Rielly, Jake McCabe rolling out with Chris Tanev, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Conor Timmins rounding out the D corps.
As for Reaves, he talked about his goose-egg this week and how he is actively looking for a fight as he approached Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway, to no avail. However, tonight could be the night with Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj dressed and the two of them having dropped the gloves last season.
It's certainly going to be an interesting night with the Canadiens having won 8 of their last 10 games and sitting just shy of a playoff spot as we speak. These two teams last met up on Opening Night with Montreal recording a 1-0 shutout on the back of Samuel Montembault's 48-save performance.
Joseph Woll will be in goal this time as he hopes to reverse their fortunes against one of their more bitter rivals.
