Mccabe and Reaves will be back in. thats it.
- drexel

And eventually Jarnkrok as well.

And eventually Jarnkrok as well.
- Dozzer

thankfully

Yes please.

Also the d was rearranged like crazy the last few games. Keefe needs to start solidifying lines before playoffs so it’s not a juggle fest to start the playoffs like every other year.

He starts tinkering so much that it hurts players or guys don’t have chemistry going in
- bryant

3 goals on D giveaways and failure to take a guy out along the boards. Pairings weren’t the issue, mistakes were. Guys are essentially trying out for the playoff roster as players come back from injury

Mccabe and Reaves will be back in. thats it.
- drexel

Maybe Reaves

Maybe Reaves
- Canada Cup

Has Reaves been hurt? He has been playing so well of late, I don't get why he's in the press box.

Has Reaves been hurt? He has been playing so well of late, I don't get why he's in the press box.
- Monkeypunk

cut his hand in back to backs. might be it.

Has Reaves been hurt? He has been playing so well of late, I don't get why he's in the press box.
- Monkeypunk

He did cut his hand in that fight and in reality, a game of rest isn't terrible.

I don't know who comes out for McCabe but I'd put him back in.

Has Reaves been hurt? He has been playing so well of late, I don't get why he's in the press box.
- Monkeypunk

He’s been good but I think he’s on the bubble for starting game one. Who does Jarnkrok take out when he comes back? I think they need Holmberg to centre the 3rd line and Dewar is on the top PK unit. As much as it hurts, Nickie is likely the guy. So who does that leave for Reavo to replace? Knies? We saw a 4th line option tonight that might be what they start with.

Three more games before they need to decide

He’s been good but I think he’s on the bubble for starting game one. Who does Jarnkrok take out when he comes back? I think they need Holmberg to centre the 3rd line and Dewar is on the top PK unit. As much as it hurts, Nickie is likely the guy. So who does that leave for Reavo to replace? Knies? We saw a 4th line option tonight that might be what they start with.
- Canada Cup

I'd honestly remove Knies and Robertson for Reaves and Jarnkrok if necessary. I think they bring a different element for game 1 against Florida.

I'd honestly remove Knies and Robertson for Reaves and Jarnkrok if necessary. I think they bring a different element for game 1 against Florida.
- Aaron_85

I'd be inclined to do the same against Florida. You need muscle, grit and counter-intimidation. I think not dressing Reaves against the Panthers would be a mistake. We don't need fighting - but we need his size and the type of board presence he's brought in the last 10-15 games.

I'd honestly remove Knies and Robertson for Reaves and Jarnkrok if necessary. I think they bring a different element for game 1 against Florida.
- Aaron_85

I think that’s they would need to do. There’s a lot to love about having Reaves in the lineup against a team like Florida. Knies is a bit more versatile in that he can play higher in the lineup if they need a goal. Like I said, I think Reaves is on the bubble and it could go either way.

Has Reaves been hurt? He has been playing so well of late, I don't get why he's in the press box.
- Monkeypunk

It’s him or Robertson so Keefe likely wants to keep them both from getting rusty

I'd honestly remove Knies and Robertson for Reaves and Jarnkrok if necessary. I think they bring a different element for game 1 against Florida.
- Aaron_85

Jarnkrok can play C, if keep Knies and drop Holmberg instead

Jarnkrok can play C, if keep Knies and drop Holmberg instead
- Dozzer

I tried to check if he’s played much C for the Leafs but never found anything. I’ve liked Holmberg’s game but a couple of guys who have been playing well will sit. That’s not a bad thing.

I th8nk the decisions on the D will be trickier and more consequential

I'd be inclined to do the same against Florida. You need muscle, grit and counter-intimidation. I think not dressing Reaves against the Panthers would be a mistake. We don't need fighting - but we need his size and the type of board presence he's brought in the last 10-15 games.
- Monkeypunk

The best the Kampf line has looked all year was that last stretch with Dewar and Reaves. But if Reaves is in ....it gets harder to fit Krok in.

Can Krok play 3C with Knies and Willie? Don't think so but maybe?

The best the Kampf line has looked all year was that last stretch with Dewar and Reaves. But if Reaves is in ....it gets harder to fit Krok in.

Can Krok play 3C with Knies and Willie? Don't think so but maybe?
- The Law

Why not put Willy at 3C and play Knies and Jarnkrok on the wings. A better boards presence to get the puck out or their zone. Willy has shown that he can win a faceoff.

I tried to check if he’s played much C for the Leafs but never found anything. I’ve liked Holmberg’s game but a couple of guys who have been playing well will sit. That’s not a bad thing.

I th8nk the decisions on the D will be trickier and more consequential
- Canada Cup

Just took a look at historical faceoff stats on NST. Looks like Krok did quite a bit of C from 14-19 with Nashville and then very little since.

Might be an option but probably not ideal.

Why not put Willy at 3C and play Knies and Jarnkrok on the wings. A better boards presence to get the puck out or their zone. Willy has shown that he can win a faceoff.
- PrinceLH

It's an option but no-one liked the short look during preseason.

Just took a look at historical faceoff stats on NST. Looks like Krok did quite a bit of C from 14-19 with Nashville and then very little since.

Might be an option but probably not ideal.
- The Law

I think Krok for Nickie which hurts but the 3 Swedish Amigos (Calle, Pontus, Willie) could be a pretty good line. Then it’s 2 of Knies/Dewar/Reaves to play with Kampf

I tried to check if he’s played much C for the Leafs but never found anything. I’ve liked Holmberg’s game but a couple of guys who have been playing well will sit. That’s not a bad thing.

I th8nk the decisions on the D will be trickier and more consequential
- Canada Cup

Oh agree 100% on the D choices but once Jarnkrok is ready he’ll slide into the lineup pretty quick and it won’t be for Knies, Nylander, Dewar, or Kampf. So it’s either play him instead of Robertson or Reaves on the wing or sit Holmberg instead.

I'm not generally down with the Keefe bashing but tonight I'm down ...wtf was he doing with the PK? Kampf and Dewar were dynamite for 3 weeks ...Marner still finding his game ..so Marner takes Dewars spot and the Leafs get mugged.

And that Meier PP goal with 10 seconds left ....why is Rielly on the PK for the first time all night with 12 seconds left to kill? He's got 5 sacrifice their-face shot blockers like Boosh, Eddie, Brodie, Benoit and Gio but he puts out Rielly and he delivers the ballet-style shot block.

I know he's playing around with ideas and testing guys in roles preppin' for the playoffs but (frank) ...some of these things we already know don't work.

Thanks for letting me rant.

Oh agree 100% on the D choices but once Jarnkrok is ready he’ll slide into the lineup pretty quick and it won’t be for Knies, Nylander, Dewar, or Kampf. So it’s either play him instead of Robertson or Reaves on the wing or sit Holmberg instead.
- Dozzer

After my rant I've had a sip of bourbon and had ample time to consider things more fully.

I wonder if Keefe choosing to give Dewar's PK minutes to Marner tonight was b/c he would consider sitting Dewar game 1. That lets you keep Knies, Reaves and Holmberg in the lineup with Jarnkrok. You don't miss Dewar a lot at 5v5 but you might on the PK. If that's true then the PK tonight probably earned Dewar his game 1 start.

Jarnkrok can play C, if keep Knies and drop Holmberg instead
- Dozzer

He's only played wing so far this year and since becoming a leaf. Off a long term injury too? Should just give him the easy assignment of winger instead of C.

After my rant I've had a sip of bourbon and had ample time to consider things more fully.

I wonder if Keefe choosing to give Dewar's PK minutes to Marner tonight was b/c he would consider sitting Dewar game 1. That lets you keep Knies, Reaves and Holmberg in the lineup with Jarnkrok. You don't miss Dewar a lot at 5v5 but you might on the PK. If that's true then the PK tonight probably earned Dewar his game 1 start.
- The Law

Yeah abysmal PK tonight. I'm not taking too much from these games. Leafs are in, I don't think they care much about home ice.

Hmmmmmm