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The Toronto Maple Leafs held their morning skate in Nashville on Saturday ahead of their evening matchup against the Predators. Riding a three-game win streak, the team is opting to stick with the same lineup that earned them a 4-3 victory against the New York Rangers on Thursday.
However, as the postseason approaches, head coach Craig Berube says he is still fine-tuning his third line, trying to solidify the best possible combination.
One key change for Thursday’s game against the Rangers was Bobby McMann moving up to the second line alongside John Tavares and William Nylander, while Pontus Holmberg shifted down to the third line.
McMann made a strong case to remain in the top six, tallying a goal, an assist, and a plus-3 rating. The 28-year-old forward has been a reliable presence in the bottom six for much of the season but his ability to move up and down the lineup provides the Leafs with additional flexibility. He has set career highs across the board this season, posting 19 goals, 12 assists, and 31 points in 61 games.
The speedy forward seems to be an answer in the top six but a solution in the bottom six. So where should the Leafs insert the services of McMann?
“We always kind of looked at it that way throughout the season,” said Berube. “Do you want to spread it out a little bit? I think he’s been a good fit there when we put him there, been there with those guys before, and they come through. It’s always tinkering it around a little bit.”
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'We Fed Off The Momentum Of The Previous Game': Maple Leafs Stave Off Desperate Rangers In Second-Half Of Back-To-BackToronto's second line combined for seven points in their win over the Rangers, tying them for first in the Atlantic Division. It’s safe to say the selection process is still ongoing.
“It’s a little bit of a battle still,” said Berube after practice. “I think Max (Domi) and Robbi (Nick Robertson) have played a ton together this year. I moved Bobby McMann up and I still work in pairs more than I work in lines I would say. Always have. You gotta mix things up once in a while, we do that, we move a winger here and there around.”
Domi and Robertson, who have played together for much of the season, have been finding another gear in recent weeks – the bench boss sees them as a pair.
“They’ve scored for us, good secondary scoring, right? I think Max’s game has gone to another level and I think there is even more there,” he said.
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'He's Being The Player We Want Him To Be': How Max Domi Is Dialing Up His Play With Maple Leafs As Playoffs NearAs of late, Domi has been one of Toronto's most productive players, registering eight points in his last 11 games. Now, with Holmberg joining their line, Berube is hoping to see continued chemistry between the trio.
“Holmer, I really liked him with Tavares and Nylander for a bit. He did a real good job there I thought,” said Berube. “I feel like he can do that same job with these guys. A little more puck possession for these guys in the zone would be good. He’s good at that and getting the puck to Max or Robby. They do their thing. But that’s kind of what I’m looking at with that line, with Holmer on it.”
While much of the attention has turned on the third line and McMann’s promotion, newly acquired forward Scott Laughton remains a question mark. The 30-year-old has been moved down to the fourth line as he continues to work his way out of a slump. Laughton has yet to register a point in seven games since joining the Maple Leafs and is still searching for his identity within the lineup – averaging 12:55 of ice time a night.
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‘He’s Overthinking Things Instead Of Just Playing’: Scott Laughton Remains Pointless With Maple Leafs, Craig Berube Urges Forward To ‘Loosen Up’The Toronto Maple Leafs have begun to find their stride, securing back-to-back victories over the Calgary Flames and the Colorado Avalanche. However, one player in particular remains stuck in a slump – newly acquired Scott Laughton, who has yet to register a point in six games with the Leafs and continues to struggle to find his place in his hometown. While he could be utilized in a fourth-line capacity moving forward, there is still time for him to carve out a more significant spot – and for what they acquired him for, that’s what the Leafs are hoping.
With just 13 regular-season games remaining, there seem to be options, but nothing is set in stone.
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