GDT: Leafs vs Ducks

[Buds17]

Nylander vs other teams 3rd pairings. RIP them

Of course. The move just changes the dynamics of what that third line becomes (not so much a shutdown line). Not suggesting that will necessarily be a bad thing, mind you. It's all well and fine if enough ice time is there and this does its part in spurring the team overall.

 

[zeke]

 

[mapleleafs34]

I think Matthews dominance while Marner was out made this an easy choice for Keefe.

 

[zeke]

Nylander vs other teams 3rd pairings. RIP them

Thing is that Keefe has no issue playing Kampf against other top lines.

I'd almost think that the most sheltered line here might be that Tavares line.

 

[ToneDog]

Sounds like Keefe reads these boards.

 

[Discoverer]

congrats on apparently guessing one line right.

Not to mention they've played exactly one game this year with all of those wingers available.

But yeah... he's FINALLY doing it!

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Makes sense to me. Try to spread out the scoring and see if Marner can get Tavares going.

 

[Twine Tickler]

if they stick with these lines it will be interesting to see the atoi ... nylander is already averaging 2 minutes per game less ice time than marner and matthews ...... if they both suck up their 21 minutes willie will be hardpressed to maintain his almost 19 unless keefe loads them up at times ...

I think they'll roll the lines 1-3 personally. It's not just that Nylander slots down in the lineup, it's also Kerfoot who has been one of our better 5v5 players all year. I think he has the 2nd most 5v5 points on the team. There's no way Keefe has those 2 on a line and reduces their minutes. If anything Matthews and Marner see less TOI in this lineup

 

[TiMo15]

It's a good timing to try different things. It's getting closer to 40 games, 10 points ahead of Detroit. Can Nylander spark the third line or improve his defesnsive game? Can Marner make Tavares back on scoring touch? We have seen Bunting can make some impacts on the first line, how about Kase impact when he is healthy? Good plan by Keefe.

 

[francis246]

Going with the 3 offensive lines approach?

these lines look beautiful. Just 4 lines that can attack you. Sad to see Engvall move down he’s really growing on me

 

[Stonehands1990]

I think Matthews dominance while Marner was out made this an easy choice for Keefe.

Like how he played better without Marner on his wing lol. Marner doesn’t add much more than Kase and can be used to elevate other players. Glad Keefe finally woke up

 

[TMLAM34]

Bunting - Matthews - Kase
Mikheyev - Tavares - Marner
Kerfoot - Kampf - Nylander
Engvall - Spezza - Simmonds


I wonder if we’ll see something like that?

 

[Burnie97]

I like those lines. It's worth a shot. No harm in testing it out. The next 4 games are winnable. Kerfoot and Nylander have played really well together before.

Marner and JT can be magic. Matthews I think he has to start carrying his own line and I think he's capable. Plus Bunting has been solid and Kase is no slouch either.

 

[TheShape]

So Keefe sees what most of us see. Marner Matthews isn’t some dominating force and the pair need to be split.

The lines could’ve stayed the same with Marner and Kase switching, but I’d still like to see what these pairs could do.

 

[ACC1224]

Sounds like Keefe reads these boards.

God help us.

 

[Mess]

Sounds like Keefe reads these boards.

Exactly as Leaf fans have wanted to see Matthews, Tavares and Marner on each of their own lines, its interesting that Keefe feels Tavares is the one of the top 3 $11 mil player that needs the added offensive support and not wondering if he can carry his own line.

To bad Keefe simply didn't refer to Leafs previous coach for the answer to his question as we already have seen the 3 Amigos on different lines under Babcock as Mitch and Auston never played together and they all played on different lines for long periods of time.

Hyman -- Matthews -- Brown ( Matthews won the Calder)
Marleau --- Kadri - Nylander
JVR - Bozak - Marner

This was the top 9 combination when Leafs were setting their 105 point franchise All-time best mark and lost in a competitive 7 game series to the Bruins.

Adding Tavares and stacking to the top 2 lines resulted in embarrassing losses to low scoring and inferior teams like CBJ and Montreal the past 2 years. So its nice to see Keefe is willing to try something different and go back to past success for inspiration.

 

[Mess]

So Keefe sees what most of us see. Marner Matthews isn’t some dominating force and the pair need to be split.

The lines could’ve stayed the same with Marner and Kase switching, but I’d still like to see what these pairs could do.

Of Matthews 25 goals on the season Marner has assisted on only 3 ES 5v5 goals and 3 PP goals on the year. Michael Bunting the other linemate has assisted on 9 of Matthews goals.

Kase has been in on 5 of Matthews goals ES and PP and they have hardly played together, and only when Marner was out has Kase replaced Marner on the line, and took his spot on PP#1. So Kase assisting on Matthews goals has only happened in a small 3 week window or so.

 

[Stonehands1990]

Exactly as Leaf fans have wanted to see Matthews, Tavares and Marner on each of their own lines, its interesting that Keefe feels Tavares is the one of the top 3 $11 mil player that needs the added offensive support and not wondering if he can carry his own line.

To bad Keefe simply didn't refer to Leafs previous coach for the answer to his question as we already have seen the 3 Amigos on different lines under Babcock as Mitch and Auston never played together and they all played on different lines for long periods of time.

Hyman -- Matthews -- Brown ( Matthews won the Calder)
Marleau --- Kadri - Nylander
JVR - Bozak - Marner

This was the top 9 combination when Leafs were setting their 105 point franchise All-time best mark and lost in a competitive 7 game series to the Bruins.

Adding Tavares and stacking to the top 2 lines resulted in embarrassing losses to low scoring and inferior teams like CBJ and Montreal the past 2 years. So its nice to see Keefe is willing to try something different and go back to past success for inspiration.

Brown with Matthews was only on road games to avoid getting line matched. Something Keefe still doesn’t really understand

 

[Nylanderthal]

these lines look beautiful. Just 4 lines that can attack you. Sad to see Engvall move down he’s really growing on me

I think he really improves the 4th line bringing quality ice coverage in all three zones. The two slower old guys have really been exposed when the third wheel isn’t mobile & reliable in the neutral and D zone.

 

[keonsbitterness]

I'm all for trying these lines. Added roster versatility can only help in a tight playoff game.

 

[Nylanderthal]

Bunting - Matthews - Kase
Mikheyev - Tavares - Marner
Kerfoot - Kampf - Nylander
Engvall - Spezza - Simmonds


I wonder if we’ll see something like that?

That’s exactly what I’d run & how Keefe had them in practice today.

 

[Scion]

Wonder what sparked this realization, something he saw Saturday?
Wonder if they'll go with those lines Wednesday.

The Kerfoot - Tavares - Nylander line has had troubling underlying numbers for a while now. Frankly the switch is overdue.

 

[Fogelhund]

Simmonds-Nylander-Marner

Marner and Nylander both love to have the puck on their sticks... I don't think as a line it makes sense.

 

[Kiwi]

Well thats wierd

I don't mind those lines

Matthews can carry anyone and those two can get him the puck still

Tavares hasn't been good defensively, he's now got two excellent 2-way wingers which should help him

Kampf now has two good offensive wingers which makes our 3rd line more dangerous

 

[NinjaKick]

I like the thought of AM running his own line, he plays best when he has the puck.