GDT: Maple Leafs - Flyers

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Really? I don’t care about any of that. Making an exciting run through the playoffs is all that matters in the end.

I can want both. And one may be necessary to facilitate the other. Matthews hitting 60 by seasons end would mean he’s healthy, increasing our chances at playoff success. Him being out of the lineup until then leaves it questionable if he’s truly healthy and ready to go.

 

[Byron Bitz]

We should also be cycling guys like Marner, Rielly, Tavares and Nylander in and out of the line up for load management

 

[Chief Leaf]

Someone mentioned earlier that they would rather have Soup in net vrs Tampa/Florida to get looks. IMO I think he has had all the looks he needs and should just stay try and stay healthy.

I feel Florida and Tampa can possibly make him over work and would rather see Kellgren get shelled or another back up. As a matter of fact Home ice is important and if our odds are better to gain another couple of points tonight with Soup in net..well bring it on....I wouldn't even mind if this was Soups last apperance in the regular season and let the back ups fight to see who is the back up.

I just want the ones who are out with injuries to get healthy, recover, and let the ones on the ice tonight take care of business. GO LEAFS GO! Beat these Flyers, make us proud tonight!

 

[stickty111]

half the reason I watch. but now he's going to be out long-term.

 

[horner]

Not worried about Matthews. Why rush him back for these games unless he is feeling like he is ready?

I would rather him take a couple of games same with marner.
We need them for the playoffs.

 

[BayStBullies]

Anddddd no interest in watching tonight. No Matthews makes this game pointless in my eyes

Marner to 100 is still worth the watch

 

[Lauro]

Interesting. A missing Marner would diminish my viewing pleasure significantly more than a missing Matthews.
That being said, there are so many other interesting things to watch. Mikheyev. Engvall. New line combinations. The experiments on defense ...

 

[LeafalCrusader]

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

Would be interesting to run come playoff time. Doubt Kase will be able to play though.

 

[ACC1224]

Campbell is starting??

 

[RealisticLeaf55]

Wouldn't surprise me if this is a rest day for our big guns.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Blackwell-Tavares-Mikheyev
Engvall-Kerfoot-Nylander
Clifford-Kampf-Spezza

Simmonds can draw in?

 

[Confucius]

Marner to 100 is still worth the watch

Bunting to 70 as well, just another team record to go down. Would love to see Mathews get the assist to give Bunting 70.

 

[SprDaVE]

I love Keefe for doing it.

This might be Abruzzese's last game for the season, at least playing a lot of minutes, so it's the perfect time to really get tested. I just hope they give him top PP minutes too instead of Bunting.

 

[crump]

Abruzzese gets a huge chance. At least to start?

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Not going to get a bigger chance than this for Abruzzese. Hope he has a good game.

 

[leafsfan5]

love that second line, Blackwell deserves more time

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Not going to get a bigger chance than this for Abruzzese. Hope he has a good game.

It is a nice opportunity for Blackwell too after mostly slumming it on the 4th line himself.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Marner with Bunting and Abruzzese kinda similar to the old JVR - Bozak - Kessel line

 

[Teeder Keon]

GO………………..

 

[Leafsfan74]

Blackwell finally getting a look on the second line it seems.

 

[IPS]

I love Keefe for doing it.

This might be Abruzzese's last game for the season, at least playing a lot of minutes, so it's the perfect time to really get tested. I just hope they give him top PP minutes too instead of Bunting.

This lineup tells me that they're expecting Matthews back soon.

 

[saffronleaf]

In terms of the 4th line... I'd like to see some of the younger guys get some looks too.

Like even something like Robertson - Kampf - Anderson could give the team more spark.

But given how violent the league is you definitely want at least one of Simmonds or Clifford on the team. I guess just not convinced that Spezza is better than the young guys.

 

[Macallan18]

Go Leafs Go!
Drinking Redbreast Irish Whiskey

 

[saffronleaf]

anyone proposing line combos with Kase in should also tell us what they'd do with him out of the lineup b/c I think that's the more likely situation

 

[riffle]

Checked Twitter all day to see if Abruzzese was going to be in the lineup. Saw the lines flash on TSN and looked at the 4th line and was disappointed.

Then, I noticed the 1st line. What?

Holy cats. The kid who looks like a middle-schooler is getting his shot with the big boys. Wow.

Let's go AbruZZese Top! Top line center making everyone forget about Auston Matthews.