Speculation: Playoff Lineup

[francis246]

I just posted a lineup, but I gotta say....I think I like yours better lol.

The only thing I might change is the D to have Lilly as the 7th D and have him check in and out of the lineup with Holl.

McCabe Brodie
Rielly Schenn
Giordano Holl
Lilly

Lilly will check in the second Holl has a poor game. But I just feel like Holl is more ready to handle the intensity and physicality of the playoffs. He's also not afraid to block shots.

But all n all, I love your forward lines TBH. Isolate Matthews, let him take away their top matchup center and let him get his looks on the PP. Let everyone else feast as a result

Well done!

Thanks, Agreed, I’d want that Matthews line going head to head with Stamkos and Point. Then as you said let the other lines go to battle and get better match ups.

Yeah the D really between Holl and Lilly is interchangeable. I don’t mind Holl with Gio. I thought the last two Florida games Holl was gaining the zone quite well and his skating looked fine.

But I want to see us attack Tampa with everything we’ve got. Why do we always have to try and chase the match up. Let them worry about containing our offense which is the best thing about this team.

 

[X66]

Just can't see Knies bumping out any forward right now, he'll get in during the series but game 1 might not be it.

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Tavares-O'Reilly-Nylander
Kerfoot-Accari-Jarnkrok
ZAR-Kampf-Laff

and then on the road MAYBE

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Knies-O'Reilly-Nylander
Kerfoot-Tavares-Jarnkrok
Accari-Kampf-Laff

 

[ACC1224]

Maybe Kerfoot maybe ZAR.
It's a bump down effect.
Personally I thin Kerfoot on the 4th line with spot duty higher up makes us more dangerous

I think there is pretty much 0 chance Keefe doesn’t dress Kerfoot.
Not sure about ZAR. He’s been underwhelming for the most part but pretty good the last few weeks.
I don’t see Knies sitting as a slight on him but more a testament to the depth Dubas has built here.

 

[francis246]

Got it.
I always find it more interesting predicting what the coach will do as opposed to fantasy lineups

That’s true, I think my line up is possible especially given yesterdays success with that O’Reilly line. Only thing Keefe would do is switch Holl and Liljegren.

I see no reason to seperate Matthews and Jarnkrok those guys play so well together. JT plays his best with a Marner.

 

[saltming]

I think there is pretty much 0 chance Keefe doesn’t dress Kerfoot.
Not sure about ZAR. He’s been underwhelming for the most part but pretty good the last few weeks.
I don’t see Knies sitting as a slight on him but more a testament to the depth Dubas has built here.

Completely agreed.
So then if Knies can maintain his level of play in the Tampa game, who makes him sit?

 

[ACC1224]

That’s true, I think my line up is possible especially given yesterdays success with that O’Reilly line. Only thing Keefe would do is switch Holl and Liljegren.

I see no reason to seperate Matthews and Jarnkrok those guys play so well together. JT plays his best with a Marner.

IMO the only thing that isn’t 100% apparent is the 12th forward

 

[griffon1]

I like this Twine. Might have to switch ROR for Knies and move Tavares up, if Knies struggles.

 

[ACC1224]

Completely agreed.
So then if Knies can maintain his level of play in the Tampa game, who makes him sit?

between ZAR and Lafferty I would think. Whoever has the poorer series

 

[Notsince67]

I agree but really well imho doesn't include scoring.
If he generates lots of chances and had very limited or zero defensive gaps, I would start him because I think his upside is greater than ZAR and even Kerfoot and I believe, with ROR, he could blossom, not fully, wthin the playoffs

The longer stick also helps with limited space.

 

[saltming]

between ZAR and Lafferty I would think. Whoever has the poorer series

My eyes think Lafferty has an edge we need that ZAR doesn't bring

The longer stick also helps with limited space.

His strength and willingness to get in there is a bonus too

 

[Puckstuff]

I’d like to see them go with 3 balanced lines over 2 stacked lines. Preferably with O’Reilly in a shutdown role against the Kucherov line.

I’d like to see Knies in the top 9 with some of the skilled players but if he has to come out for ZAR it’s not the end of the world.

I do not under any circumstances want to see Tavares-Nylander together. This is the biggest thing for me. Do not do this. Nylander doesn’t play well with Tavares 5 on 5.

And I don’t don’t want to see Kerfoot with Marner because it’s a waste of Marner’s talent.

But other than that, I’m fine with virtually any top 9 combo. 4th line obviously made up of Acciari, Laff, ZAR, Kampf.

1)
Knies-Matthews-Nylander
Bunting-Tavares-Marner
Kerfoot-O’Reilly-Jarnkrok

2)
Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Knies-O’Reilly-Nylander
Kerfoot-Tavares-Jarnkrok

3)
Tavares-Matthews-Marner
Knies-O’Reilly-Nylander
Bunting-Lafferty-Jarnkrok

 

[Cleetus]

well Cant say we have no depth, lots of options to choose from!

 

[crump]

We’ll never see it but…

Jarnkrok Matthews Nylander
Bunting Tavares Marner
Knies ROR. Acciari
ZAR. Kampf. Lafferty

Rielly. Liljegren
McCabe. Brodie
Giordano. Schenn

Samsonov
Woll

 

[Atomos2]

Not sure if Knies has warranted being in the playoff lineup already. A lot of people are pretty eager to just throw him into the deep end in such a high stakes series.

Do you guys really think Keefe will put him over ZAR or Lafferty?

 

[willmma]

Leaf Playoff Lines

Leafs
2022	2023
Kerfoot Matthews Marner Mikheyev Tavares Kase Nylander Kampf Engvall Clifford Blackwell Simmonds Rielly Lyubushkin Muzzin T.J. Brodie Giordano Liljegren Campbell Källgren	Bunting - Matthews - Marner Jankrok - Tavares - Nylander Knies - O'Rielly - Kerfoot Aston-Reese/Lafferty - Kampf - Acciari Rielly - Liljegren McCabe - Brodie Giordano - Schenn/Holl Murray Samsonov Wall!
Lightning
Palat – Stamkos – Kucherov Hagel – Point – Cirelli Killorn – Colton – Paul Maroon – Bellmare – Perry Hedman – Rutta McDonagh – Cernak Sergachev – Foote Vasilevskiy Elliot	Hagel - Point - Kucherov Stamkos - Cirelli - Killorn Colton - Paul - Eyssimont Maroon - Bellemare - Perry Hedman - Bogosian/Raddysh Sergachev - Perbix Cole - Cernak Vasilevskiy Elliot

 

[Kiwi]

I think you're right @ACC1224

Knies and Liljegren are going to be the guys on the outside looking in imo

I think they will get a chance but not unless someone gets injured or loses form

 

[Menzinger]

I think you're right @ACC1224

Knies and Liljegren are going to be the guys on the outside looking in imo

I think they will get a chance but not unless someone gets injured or loses form

I think they likely sit game one but potentially see ice time mid series if the coaches feel the lineup needs a shakeup or if one of the depth guys looks outright awful

 

[TMLife17]

Schenn - Schenn - Schenn
Schenn - Schenn - Schenn
Schenn - Schenn - Schenn
Schenn - Schenn - Schenn

Schenn - Schenn
Schenn - Schenn
Schenn - Schenn

Schenn
Schenn

 

[PromisedLand]

My preference:

HOME
Forwards Lines
Bunting-Matthews-Nylander
Jankrok-ROR-Marner (this is your shutdown line that can score)
Knies-Tavares-Kerfoot
ZAR-Kampf-Acciari
Lafferty


Defensive pairings
Brodie McCabe
Rielly Schenn
Giordano Liljegren
Holl

Goalies
Samsonov
Woll


AWAY
At home:

Forwards Lines
Jankrok-Matthews-Marner
Knies-ROR-Nylander
Bunting-Tavares-Kerfoot
ZAR-Kampf-Acciari
Lafferty


Defensive pairings
Brodie McCabe
Rielly Schenn
Giordano Liljegren
Holl

Goalies
Samsonov
Woll

 

[Clyde Brewer]

I'm a big fan of Lily, but I think he starts the series on the bench. Schenn's physically/toughness cannot be ignored.

I also like having Knies as a 13th forward. I feel, in a pinch, he could be effective on any line. His defensive instincts seem to be there, he's big and strong, and we know there's more offense to be seen yet.


I think the recent line blender technique of Keefe's will lead to us seeing a lot of mixing and matching throughout the series. I could see Liljegren and/or Knies getting ice time.

 

[Jacquestrapless]

They'll stack the lines at home and spread out the talent away

 

[TMLife17]

If the Isles get a point here the Leafs will claim the longest active playoff streak..

 

[123offtheglass]

Home Ice Game 1:

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Jarnkrok - Tavares - Nylander
Kerfoot - O'Reilly - Acciari
ZAR - Kampf - Lafferty

McCabe - Brodie
Giordano - Holl
Rielly - Schenn

Samsonov

 

[TMLife17]

My preference:

HOME
Forwards Lines
Bunting-Matthews-Nylander
Jankrok-ROR-Marner (this is your shutdown line that can score)
Knies-Tavares-Kerfoot
ZAR-Kampf-Acciari
Lafferty


Defensive pairings
Brodie McCabe
Rielly Schenn
Giordano Liljegren
Holl

Goalies
Samsonov
Woll


AWAY
At home:

Forwards Lines
Jankrok-Matthews-Marner
Knies-ROR-Nylander
Bunting-Tavares-Kerfoot
ZAR-Kampf-Acciari
Lafferty


Defensive pairings
Brodie McCabe
Rielly Schenn
Giordano Liljegren
Holl

Goalies
Samsonov
Woll

I like it except I'm not sure Tavares should be playing C on the road.

 

[TMLAM34]

Home Ice Game 1:

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Jarnkrok - Tavares - Nylander
Kerfoot - O'Reilly - Acciari
ZAR - Kampf - Lafferty

McCabe - Brodie
Giordano - Holl
Rielly - Schenn

Samsonov

How I see it as well, with O’Reilly at times rotating with Jarnkrok.