Preferable D pairings

[lipstickjunkie]

Obviously it's only one game but Gio-Lilly looked pretty good. We know Rielly-Brodie is a good pair. Rielly-Boosh has potential. Muzzin will play when healthy and has looked better when paired with Lilly. And of course Gio-Brodie have great history. Lots of good options here, it would seem.

Click to read more...

 

[AuraSphere]

How it should be ideally to avoid Liljegren being put into tough matchups as a 22 year old rookie:

Rielly - Brodie
Gio - Liljegren
Muzzin - Lybush/Holl


How I want it to be once Liljegren is comfortable so Gio and Brodie can play 2nd pairing together

Rielly - Liljegren
Gio - Brodie
Muzzin - Lybush/Holl

 

[Eternal Leaf]

Rielly - Lyubushkin
Gio - Brodie
Muzzin - Liljegren

I think this is the most ideal when everyone is back. Each pairing has someone that is physical and clears up space for their partner.

But to be honest, there are a lot of good combinations available for Keefe to try out. It might just come down to chemistry heading into the playoffs more than anything else.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

If Liljegren keeps playing this well you can't sit him game 1. They probably will. But they can't.

 

[BlueBaron]

I feel like Muzzin needs to be 3rd pairing this run. When everyone is healthy is Timmy the odd man out?

Labushkin I'd like see given every opportunity with Rielly because of how convenient it would be if he could grow into that role.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

If Liljegren keeps playing this well you can't sit him game 1. They probably will. But they can't.

We can, we will.

 

[Griffin76]

I picked the first one but really I'd be happy with anything in the top half.

 

[OneSniffTwoSniff]

Morgan-Timmothy
Mark-T.J
Jake-Ilya

 

[TheGoldenJet]

I voted for the one with two Booshes in it.

 

[inthe6ix]

Unless Holl is injured or Muzzin isn't ready, Lilly won't see the playoffs, IMO.

Chemistry on each of those pairings is too important, and if Muzz and Holl drop down to the third pairing to play against the opposition's lower lines, that's better for them, and us.

 

[kb]

How it should be ideally to avoid Liljegren being put into tough matchups as a 22 year old rookie:

Rielly - Brodie
Gio - Liljegren
Muzzin - Lybush/Holl


How I want it to be once Liljegren is comfortable so Gio and Brodie can play 2nd pairing together

Rielly - Liljegren
Gio - Brodie
Muzzin - Lybush/Holl

This is exactly my thoughts.

And this is not even factoring Sandin should he be back.

I know this comment will be taken out of context, but the Leafs really do have an embarrassment of riches when looking at top-4 options when everyone is healthy.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

Unless Holl is injured or Muzzin isn't ready, Lilly won't see the playoffs, IMO.

Chemistry on each of those pairings is too important, and if Muzz and Holl drop down to the third pairing to play against the opposition's lower lines, that's better for them, and us.

If you're talking about chemistry Muzzin-Holl were a disaster together this year.

Muzzin-Liljegren is much better.

 

[kb]

Unless Holl is injured or Muzzin isn't ready, Lilly won't see the playoffs, IMO.

Chemistry on each of those pairings is too important, and if Muzz and Holl drop down to the third pairing to play against the opposition's lower lines, that's better for them, and us.

I can't see it as Lily makes every pairing he plays on better.

Tampa had no issues running Cernak and Sergachev (at 22 and 21, respectively) as regulars in their first cup run. It didn't hurt them in any way.

Off topic slightly:

Here's a fun fact that blew me away. Mark Giordano has played 23 career post-season games. Recently traded Travis Dermott has played 22.

 

[Brobust]

Rielly - Lyubushkin
Giordano - Liljegren
Muzzin - Brodie

No top pair, but no third pair either. Three units that can play 20 minutes.

 

[ULF_55]

I think each pair should complement each other.


Rielly - Lyubushkin
Giordano - Liljegren
Muzzin - Brodie
Sandin - Holl

If Lyubushkin skates well enough:

Rielly - Brodie
Giordano - Liljegren
Muzzin - Lyubushkin
Sandin - Holl

If all healthy, they have a pretty good corps.

 

[zeke]

Mo - TJ
Gio - Lilly
Muzz - Holl
Raz - Boosh

 

[Mickey Marner]

Giordano should continue mentoring Liljegren for at least the regular season. Health will decide the pairs for the most part.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

If we require to use a top4 of:
Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin-Gio

It likely means the bottom pair has/ will struggle.
Finding ways to spread out our D, and putting certain guys in 'success' positions is key

Let's be honest, for the right side:
If one of Lub/Lilj find a home with Rielly.... it makes our team very tough to play against.

 

[crump]

Lyubushkin or Holl should be the only decision for the #6. Need Liljegren's skill and overall game.
Muzzin Lyubushkin might be nice physical pair.

Rielly-Brodie;​

Gio-Lilly;​

Muzzin-Boosh/Holl​

 

[notbias]

Voted

Rielly - Lub
Gio - Brodie
Muzzin - Holl

But honestly not a clue.

I can see an argument for Sandin/Liljegren getting some time, but I think I'd rather the pairings here, I think they are more responsible with the puck.

Holl has been good recently.

Maybe switch out Holl for Liljegren and go

Rielly - Lub
Gio - Liljegren
Muzzin - Brodie

I think each pairing, in either case, can take heavy defensive minutes and has some offensive ability and at the very least can make a good first pass and get the forwards going.

Really like the D with Gio in there, but also, we have too many NHL-ready D.

Also, anyone putting a number beside someone based on their line, check the TOI last night and where people slot in. Just because Lub is on the first pairing doesn't mean he'd get first pairing minutes, another player may slot in beside Rielly on an offensive zone faceoff, Keefe likes to mix lines based on situations.

 

[inthe6ix]

If we require to use a top4 of:
Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin-Gio

It likely means the bottom pair has/ will struggle.
Finding ways to spread out our D, and putting certain guys in 'success' positions is key

Let's be honest, for the right side:
If one of Lub/Lilj find a home with Rielly.... it makes our team very tough to play against.

Boosh has already found his home beside Morgan - I can't see him being moved off at this point going into the playoffs.

 

[ACC1224]

Depth chart, IMO
Rielly
Brodie
Giordano
Muzzin
Lybushkin
Lilligren
Sandin
Holl

That group should be able to cover up the weak goaltending.

 

[notbias]

Brodie 22:43
Rielly 21:52
Holl 20:20
Gio 18:35
Lub 16:48
Liljegren 14:17

Just for people thinking the D pairings mean #1-6

Rielly #2 - Lub #5
Brodie #1 - Holl #3
Gio #4 - Liljegren #6

 

[inthe6ix]

If you're talking about chemistry Muzzin-Holl were a disaster together this year.

Muzzin-Liljegren is much better.

No, I meant historically with that pair - they used to be our top shutdown pairing. Yes, neither of them played well individually and together this season, but Muzz hasn't played in a while and if he does return, putting him with a different partner in such a short period of time, regardless of how well Lilly has been playing, will be difficult to adjust. Familiarity should win out, which is why I totally expect Gio and TJ to eventually be paired back together despite what we saw last night.

Now if that Muzz and Holl pair flops again, sure bring in Lilly, but moving them down to the third pairing to shelter their minutes if needed, is what makes the Gio addition so sensible and convenient.

 

[zeke]

Brodie 22:43
Rielly 21:52
Holl 20:20
Gio 18:35
Lub 16:48
Liljegren 14:17

Just for people thinking the D pairings mean #1-6

Rielly #2 - Lub #5
Brodie #1 - Holl #3
Gio #4 - Liljegren #6

Even Strength:

Brodie 18:50
Holl 16:59
Rielly 16:24
Giordano 15:53
Liljegren 14:27
Boosh 14:09


Tho I bet Gio-Lilly will start to get more ice time than that if they stay together.