Pre-Game Talk: Toronto @ Dallas - Wednesday 7:30 - SN

[ACC1224]

Is Kampf back?

 

[Budz]

Ive been a fan of Robertson and really want him to succeed. However, unless Domi remains a centre, I dont see there being any room for him with a healthy forward group. Hes gotta start to force our hand really soon if he wants to stay.

Right now the glaring weakness in this roster is that 3rd line C role. If Domi fills it and Robertson starts to contribute from his wing, we look much better. If Domi doesn't lock down that spot, he's probably moved to the wing and takes Robertson place.

Robertson isn't going to play on the 4th line, and he's got 6 wingers currently locked in ahead of him if Domi moves to the wing (Marner, Nylander, Knies, Pacioretty, McMann, and Domi). I doubt we see McMann back on the 4th line and Jarnkrok is still a possibility.

If our 3rd line is Domi at C and Robby Wobbles at wing for the playoffs - I won’t even watch.

 

[Optimist]

I like how instead of splitting the Big Three onto separate lines like a lot of people have opined Berube instead sticks them all together on the first line. Guess the WAM line is going to be a thing from now on.

Remember the Jays WAMCO lineup?

 

[PanniniClaus]

Everyone healthy... Reaves should be practicing as the 11th D. Dewar or Holmberg over him any day.

 

[Mr_Fun]

Can a mod please kill this thread? I didn't see the other one. My apologies.

 

[ZEBROA]

I dont know why, but i think Marner will get a hattrick.

 

[ACC1224]

Craig Berube has this simple instruction for the three stars on Maple Leafs' top line

Toronto's Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander will play together on Wednesday in Dallas against the Stars.

torontosun.com

Coach Craig Berube is keeping his best three forwards on the Maple Leafs’ No. 1 line.
“The issue is, they have to get to the net, too,” Berube said on Tuesday after the Leafs practised at the Ford Performance Centre, where the coach had captain Auston Matthews between William Nylander and Mitch Marner.

“They can’t all be on the outside wanting the puck and making plays, it’s about doing things right. We’ll see how it goes.

David Kampf centred the fourth line on Tuesday and is slated to return to the lineup after missing the past 12 games with a lower-body injury. Kampf hasn’t played since Nov. 16.



“Gives us more flexibility,” Berube said. “I like his size down the middle and he moves well. He has his job and he has been doing it well.”

Connor Dewar and Pontus Holmberg would be the odd men out at forward. The third line, which was effective against Buffalo, was intact with Max Domi between Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson.



On the blue line, Berube is keeping Philippe Myers in the lineup and scratching Simon Benoit. Myers will play with Morgan Rielly.



“Simple, physical, direct with the puck,” Berube said of Myers’ attributes. “Does a good job killing penalties too when he is out there. He makes hard plays with the puck out of his zone. It’s not always tape-to-tape, but he gets the puck out.”

 

[1specter]

Wtf are these lines

 

[Evilhomer]

Will this experiment last as long as the Nylander at centre experiment?

 

[Leafs98]

Benn will simply cross check all 3 at once

 

[Nineteen67]

Will this experiment last as long as the Nylander at centre experiment?

If none of them go to the net, yes.

 

[Evilhomer]

If none of them go to the net, yes.

What happens if the line scores a bunch of goals without "going to the net"?

 

[Nineteen67]

What happens if the line scores a bunch of goals without "going to the net"?

They’ll get broken up when they stop scoring from distance.

 

[Dekes For Days]

What happens if the line scores a bunch of goals without "going to the net"?

I doubt we'll ever know, because they all regularly go to the net.

 

[leafs in five]

Berub listens the the Leaf Report pod

 

[Suntouchable13]

And the point of stacking a line like that in December is what?

 

[bax]

Aren't we always one loss away from Gloom and fire/trade everyone?

One iffy goal away

 

[Evilhomer]

I doubt we'll ever know, because they all regularly go to the net.

Not good enough. They need to fly into goalies with reckless abandon. Only then will Berube be satisfied.

And the point of stacking a line like that in December is what?

Berube is already as bored with the regular season as the rest of us.

 

[Jojalu]

And the point of stacking a line like that in December is what?

Trying to replicate the perfection line?

Grasping at straws for scoring?

 

[ACC1224]

And the point of stacking a line like that in December is what?

Regular season is a great time to experiment. I don't see why anyone would be against trying many different things.

 

[Racer88]

And the point of stacking a line like that in December is what?

Dominate, crush and demoralize the opponent of course

 

[notDatsyuk]

Yes - as opposed the the team, the gdt seems the start earlier and earlier.

 

[Fogelhund]

Regular season is a great time to experiment. I don't see why anyone would be against trying many different things.

"All that matters is the playoffs"

Same posters

"WTF are these lines in December"

Like this stuff is all that important.... you are right, it's time to experiment, see what works, what doesn't... maybe it's to find a permanent solution, maybe it's to learn for future special situations.... but to get worked up about it at this point?

 

[Suntouchable13]

"All that matters is the playoffs"

Same posters

"WTF are these lines in December"

Like this stuff is all that important.... you are right, it's time to experiment, see what works, what doesn't... maybe it's to find a permanent solution, maybe it's to learn for future special situations.... but to get worked up about it at this point?

Who is getting worked up? Just curious, that's all. I can't ask a question?

 

[SprDaVE]

And the point of stacking a line like that in December is what?

I think we undervalue what a world class line can do. I like Knies and Pacioretty but they are not world class players. Nylander has played a lot of LW for Team Sweden and always does well, a lot of his goals have been from the LW position (one timer, driving the net, etc).

We can point to the lackluster PP with these players together so I get the criticism in some way. But maybe more 5 on 5 playing time can open them up to be less complacent? Who knows.

I don't forsee this as a long-term option but I'm hoping to see it work well.