Matthews, Marner Have New Linemate As Leafs Shuffle Lines After Consecutive Losses
The Maple Leafs have made some significant changes to the forward group on Monday, giving Matthews, Marner a new linemate following back-to-back losses.
After failing to generate any offense through two periods on Saturday, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube shuffled his top-six forwards to begin the third period swapping John Tavares and Auston Matthews. Unfortunately, for the second straight game, the line shuffling yielded no results.
Following Saturday's loss, Berube and defenseman Chris Tanev voiced their displeasure with the effort of the team.
The Leafs returned to practice on Monday following a full day off on Sunday, and Berube shocked many by making significant line changes to the forward group ahead of line rushes.
Max Pacioretty and Pontus Holmberg skated as extras as Ryan Reaves drew back in on the fourth line with Connor Dewar and David Kampf. The potent third line line of Max Domi, Bobby McMann and Nicholas Robertson remained together.
The biggest change for the Leafs came with Matthew Knies dropping down to the second line to skate with John Tavares and William Nylander, while fan-favourite Steven Lorentz was elevated to the Leafs' top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
Lorentz has carved out a role for himself on the Leafs' fourth line and is one of just four Leafs to play every game this season -- an impressive feat in and of itself with the fourth line constantly rotating players.
Many believe the 28-year-old Kitchener, Ontario native and the Leafs are on their way to agreeing to an extension amid Lorentz's opportunity on the Leafs' top line.
The 6'4 forward has 4 goals and 9 points in 44 games this season and has an opportunity surpass his career-high 19 points, which he collected with the San Jose Sharks a couple of seasons ago. If Lorentz is able to stick next to Matthews and Marner by continuing to play his game, he should have no trouble reaching that mark.
