Pre-Game Talk: Leafs @ Panthers - Wednesday 7:30 - SN

[Dekes For Days]

Holmberg has as many goals and more points and plays 20 seconds more. He PK’s a lot and can take faceoffs.

Holmberg has one assist from the puck hitting him (which ironically, removed an assist from Robertson), and one secondary assist from a defensive zone pass that's so meaningless to the goal that it didn't even make the highlight. Let's not pretend that makes him better. The fact that he can PK doesn't change anything. Nobody is talking about taking one out of the lineup. He doesn't need to play in the top 6 to PK. It would make way more sense to put Robertson in that spot with the injuries we have.

 

[wingman75]

You know golf and Thanksgiving football is on the agenda for Thursday.

I mean really, win tomorrow night and enjoy it even more...

Yea, no avoiding that for sure.

 

[Roo]

While Holmberg has accomplished jack all offensively, he still brings value on the other side of the puck. He’s good on faceoffs, the pk, and when his forecheck game is on, it can be pretty solid. Still an offensive abyss, but I think there is more there than we’ve seen.

 

[budzz]

Anyone heard anything more on Patches? There's a guy that can provide secondary scoring.

 

[crump]

McCabe out just for maintenance today (per Berube) is good to hear.

Some doubt that Matthews plays based on both his and Berube comments. Matthews would like a few practices under his belt, Berube says you have to be careful. We’ll see after practice tomorrow I guess (if they have one)

Robertson vs A Nylander watch is on.

 

[wingman75]

McCabe out just for maintenance today (per Berube) is good to hear.

Some doubt that Matthews plays based on both his and Berube comments. Matthews would like a few practices under his belt, Berube says you have to be careful. We’ll see after practice tomorrow I guess (if they have one)

Robertson vs A Nylander watch is on.

Yea, if you read between the lines there, McCabe will play tomorrow, Matthews will not.
At this point, there is no reason to rush him back... or anyone else for that matter.
Bet 34 and 23 are back vs Tampa.

 

[Nineteen67]

Feels like a game we have to keep within a goal... if FLA gets a couple goal lead, I doubt we are able to make a comeback.

Agree with your take that we will be on the other side of the bounces at some point.

At least they didn't go down on Monday and bask in the sun or on the beach for a day and a half. The Tampa game could be more of a problem lol.

The high hovers around 80 degrees this week in Miami and much less than that in Tampa, Perfect for golf but not beach weather.

 

[thewave]

And here it is again. The Panther.

 

[Mr_Fun]

I guess the glass half full for Robertson is that based on those projected lines, he at least isn't saddled with Holmberg. It's a good opportunity for all three members of that projected 3rd line. At any rate, I trust Berubes judgement here as he's gotten a lot out of players so far.

 

[TheDoldrums]

More than Holmberg.

I wouldn't call the 10th most TOI/GP and 10th most PP TOI/GP among forwards on the team, putting him in positions to succeed. I wouldn't call playing him exclusively in the bottom six despite countless injuries, on lines that don't mesh, with other players that are struggling, putting him in positions to succeed. We need to decide if we want to punish him for not yet producing (just like a lot of our depth), despite playing well, generating chances, drawing PPs, etc., or if we want to get him going and have a valuable depth player. I'd prefer the latter.

How has Robertson been exclusively in the bottom 6 when John Tavares is his second most frequent linemate. His forward teammates by TOI

Holmberg
Tavares
McMann
Domi
Pacioretty
Nylander

If you’re complaining about his linemates at this point you’re basically just saying he’s never been with Matthews or Marner. Which is pretty understandable since they get the hardest assignments.

He started on the second line in literally the most recent game. Matthews is unlikely to play anyways, probably ends up being the same lines as the last game with Robertson taking Matthews place and Grebenkin going on the 3rd line.