My only worry with this is that Keefe uses JT has a head-to-head match up against Pasta's line and moving Marner out and Willie in takes some defensive juice away.

I'd just give Krok-Holm-Willie a go ...the Ikea line ..or the Volvo line ..or the Swedish meatball line?
- The Law

That’s the 3rd line I’d use with the option of plugging Willie on with JT and Mitch when looking for a boost. They seem much stronger than B’s number 3. I also wonder if Keefe puts Matthews out against Pasta.

Your boy Marner looking playoff ready


https://twitter.com/j_swi.../1782576656403906813?s=46
- Aaron_85

These last few games have pretty much sealed it for me, Marner needs to go. Heck of a player, crazy passing, few brain farts but those happen to everyone. But he is not built for the playoffs. He's too small/weak, avoids physical contact at all costs, and is likely never going to be the same player in the playoffs that he is in the regular season. You can't be paying someone $13M+ to have a great 82 games and then disappear. Bye, Mitchy.

I’m talking post January

My point is there have still been a few poopting on him and just can’t get past their hate
- Santo_44

Oh I was ready to turf him and Bertuzzi at the mid-way point of the season.

But Reaves turnaround has been remarkable. He's actually playing smart hockey for the most part, physical, but a lot of quick little passes, surprisingly fast in a straight line when he has some room to get going.

He’s probably better than Maroon at this point.

He doesn’t need to produce, just try to stay in position while trucking guys out there.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I had no idea he was a Bruins until I saw him pop on my tv in game 1.

Oh I was ready to turf him and Bertuzzi at the mid-way point of the season.

But Reaves turnaround has been remarkable. He's actually playing smart hockey for the most part, physical, but a lot of quick little passes, surprisingly fast in a straight line when he has some room to get going.
- gravyface

Both Reaves and Bert seem quicker than earlier in season. Hard to forecheck when the play has already moved on.

These last few games have pretty much sealed it for me, Marner needs to go. Heck of a player, crazy passing, few brain farts but those happen to everyone. But he is not built for the playoffs. He's too small/weak, avoids physical contact at all costs, and is likely never going to be the same player in the playoffs that he is in the regular season. You can't be paying someone $13M+ to have a great 82 games and then disappear. Bye, Mitchy.
- Whipper

It's funny, Willy avoids contact too, but somehow manages to drive the net far more often than Mitch, who's very much an east west shifty playmaker guy. The difference is Willy has an elite shot and Mitch doesn't, so that really limits how dangerous Mitch can be.

What I don't understand is why these guys can't work on their shot all year. It's not really a wear and tear thing, like you can work on power and accuracy all season long and not really beat yourself up doing it.

I’m not going to comment on whether Reaves should or shouldn’t be on the ice, but I can’t argue with the 4th lines play.
I think we collectively attribute the brunt of the success of that line to Kampf. Outside of a huge brain fart, he is the engine that could. (frank)er is big, tenacious, mostly smart (see above), and he seems to not care who he’s playing with. He gets it.
Hard to envision too many better 4th line centers out there IMO.
- Woderwick

I think Dewar is doing a lot alongside him. Reavo currently fits with them. It's working.

I had no idea he was a Bruins until I saw him pop on my tv in game 1.

- Scabeh

He got traded at the deadline while on LTIR I think so he only played a couple games at the end.

Marner and Matthews will be reunited and the Leafs will win the next three games


I hope McMann is back soon, we could really use his tenacity.

Willy on LTIR for razor rash.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Tsk, tsk tsk.
Need willie back and healthy.

I’m not going to comment on whether Reaves should or shouldn’t be on the ice, but I can’t argue with the 4th lines play.
I think we collectively attribute the brunt of the success of that line to Kampf. Outside of a huge brain fart, he is the engine that could. (frank)er is big, tenacious, mostly smart (see above), and he seems to not care who he’s playing with. He gets it.
Hard to envision too many better 4th line centers out there IMO.
- Woderwick

Kampf has been great. I’m going to give him a bit of a pass on the PK. He was on his backhand and thought Liljegren who was right there and on his forehand would have a better chance at clearing the zone

Looking at last night's game, you can't change the 1st and 4th lines. They must be set in stone because of their chemistry. I also have a theory on why Willy isn't in. He may be in Covid protocol. It would make sense, if you look at the timeline. If he tested positive the day before game 1, a 5 or 7 day waiting period may be mandatory by the league. The league wouldn't want a team or teams all coming down with Covid and infecting one another. He could be asymptomatic but still be positive. If he comes back on Wednesday and looks perfectly fine, he might be able to slide right into the lineup.

Where the changes need to happen is on the second and third line. You move Marner down with Knies and Holmberg on the third. The second line has Willy & Jankrok with Tavares. Marner will get his powerplay & penalty kill time plus the third line would play protected minutes. That 4th line are mean and tenacious. Can't change that one. Let's hope Sammy plays great in the next game. Sammy just needs to match the Bruins goaltenders, not outplay them. Dewar may be the steal at the trade deadline. I like his game.

Oh I was ready to turf him and Bertuzzi at the mid-way point of the season.

But Reaves turnaround has been remarkable. He's actually playing smart hockey for the most part, physical, but a lot of quick little passes, surprisingly fast in a straight line when he has some room to get going.
- gravyface

Yep that’s what im seeing too.

That one play where he completely outmuscled the guy behind the net and passed it in front for a HD chance when it should have been an easy out for the bruins was glorious.

It’s something the leafs 4th line hasn’t been able to do the past few playoffs.

Kampf has been great. I’m going to give him a bit of a pass on the PK. He was on his backhand and thought Liljegren who was right there and on his forehand would have a better chance at clearing the zone
- Canada Cup

I agree with that assessment. I thought the same. It was logical, but Liljegren isn't logical.

Why is anyone talking about putting Marner back with Matthews after Matthews had probably the best playoff game as a leaf of his career?

He was all over it offensively and defensively and scored the GWG on elite playmaking winger Max Domi!

Sorry but there should be zero change to line 1 after the fact they had all that success yesterday (3 goals scored, 1 disallowed) and were too much for Boston to handle AT HOME when Boston has last change.

Don't mess with a good thing, Marner is paid to and supposed to be able to elevate any line, elite playmaker that he is why can't he get his line mates going?

If anything and Willy can play fine maybe they can move Mitch to the left side and put him with Willy if absolutely necessary but deviating from what is working after a win to get Marner going seems stupid to me.

Bert - Porn 'stache- Domi
Marner - JT - Willy
Knies/Robby - Homeboy - J Roc
Dewar - Kampf - Reevo


Had Marner not had all that success way back with JT people might start to say that
Marner needs Matthews to be successful vs Matthews has proven he does not need Marner to have success.

I don't personally believe it but some might say it.

Also WTF is this?

https://x.com/J_Swish24/status/1782576656403906813

Imagine the outrage and people losing it in here if this had been some other winger from the Leafs who didn't play game 1 or 2. This simply can't happen in playoff hockey.

It can't. Take a hit to make a play or pull up and throw one but do something other than that bullfighter Ole Mitchy come on bud!

Kampf has been great. I’m going to give him a bit of a pass on the PK. He was on his backhand and thought Liljegren who was right there and on his forehand would have a better chance at clearing the zone
- Canada Cup

I like Dewar, but again, within reason, I don’t think it matters who plays with Kampf.
The long term importance of a 4th line taking somewhat regular shifts is huge. Let’s hope they get to capitalize on finally having one.

That’s the 3rd line I’d use with the option of plugging Willie on with JT and Mitch when looking for a boost. They seem much stronger than B’s number 3. I also wonder if Keefe puts Matthews out against Pasta.
- Canada Cup

Same.

I wouldn't mess with that 34 vs. Coyle matchup though. We've been beating the crap out them so far and Marchand has been quiet (minus the ref-baiting).

Same.

I wouldn't mess with that 34 vs. Coyle matchup though. We've been beating the crap out them so far and Marchand has been quiet (minus the ref-baiting).
- The Law

Fans love to try and poop on JT for “regressing”
But don’t poop on Marchand for regressing.

He’s not the PPG pest anymore.

He’s been so underpaid his whole career and now that his contract is almost over he’s regressing. Great.

Same.

I wouldn't mess with that 34 vs. Coyle matchup though. We've been beating the crap out them so far and Marchand has been quiet (minus the ref-baiting).
- The Law

Props to Keefe for creating the odd Coyless shift for Auston. Hard to do when you don’t have last change.
And…I said it last night, JT is a (frank)ing warrior. I don’t care that he’s a bit slower.

It's funny, Willy avoids contact too, but somehow manages to drive the net far more often than Mitch, who's very much an east west shifty playmaker guy. The difference is Willy has an elite shot and Mitch doesn't, so that really limits how dangerous Mitch can be.

What I don't understand is why these guys can't work on their shot all year. It's not really a wear and tear thing, like you can work on power and accuracy all season long and not really beat yourself up doing it.
- gravyface

Early this year I thought Marner's shot seemed harder, better than in past years but as the season wore on I stopped seeing that.

Maybe he's just tired and needs some Sklappy gym sessions on his pencil neck AND his arms? lol

Your analysis is bang on though - Willy's shot is a legit sniper weapon and he can make plays, Mitch's playmaking is better than Willy's but his shot is nowhere close, teams don't fear a Marner shot and actually play him to try and force it vs making a pass.

Props to Keefe for creating the odd Coyless shift for Auston. Hard to do when you don’t have last change.
And…I said it last night, JT is a (frank)ing warrior. I don’t care that he’s a bit slower.
- Woderwick

The emotion from JT when he scored to tie it up was pretty over the top for him and I (frank)ing loved it.

Early this year I thought Marner's shot seemed harder, better than in past years but as the season wore on I stopped seeing that.

Maybe he's just tired and needs some Sklappy gym sessions on his pencil neck AND his arms? lol

Your analysis is bang on though - Willy's shot is a legit sniper weapon and he can make plays, Mitch's playmaking is better than Willy's but his shot is nowhere close, teams don't fear a Marner shot and actually play him to try and force it vs making a pass.
- Cush29

I'd like to see Marner on the 3rd line if Willy's back, and play Willy there.

Knies Holmberg Marner would be my choice if we were going to roll lines and spread the offence around. If Marner can't drive a sheltered scoring line at 10M dollars, what are we even doing here?

I'd like to see Marner on the 3rd line if Willy's back, and play Willy there.

Knies Holmberg Marner would be my choice if we were going to roll lines and spread the offence around. If Marner can't drive a sheltered scoring line at 10M dollars, what are we even doing here?
- gravyface

Who is going to finish Marner's passes though? If McMann was there, that's an option, but I just don't see this line working. Maybe/hopefully I'm wrong.

I also have a theory on why Willy isn't in. He may be in Covid protocol.
- PrinceLH

Wasn't he at practice yesterday/day before?!?

The emotion from JT when he scored to tie it up was pretty over the top for him and I (frank)ing loved it.
- Cush29

He is so serious all the time. Wonder if he has any sense of humour at all?

Anyone who said they believed in Reaves before basically February is 100% lying.
- gravyface

ahem🤦‍♂️

i’ve been 110%, over the moon grim reaver from jump street👊🏿

as always, i was correct 👍