Be sure to like HockeyBuzz on facebook! For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter *******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.******* The Toronto Maple Leafs snapped a streak of three losses to the Buffalo Sabres with a 5-2 victory over their division rival at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday, which continued the Leafs recent string of success and maintained their position in second place in the Atlantic behind the Boston Bruins. The Blue and White hope to keep piling up the points in the finale of their three-game homestand on Monday against the New York Islanders. Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe once again mixed and matched his line combinations and defensive pairings against Buffalo, swapping wingers William Nylander and Mitch Marner from lines centered by John Tavares and Auston Matthews, moving Justin Holl alongside Morgan Rielly, and splitting the pairing of Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin. "I just felt that we were losing the matchup(with William Nylander played with Matthews), and it wasn't one that I wanted to get away from, in terms of Auston versus (Tage) Thompson. But we just felt that that switch could help us." Keefe said. "Today's a different challenge and a different opportunity for us against this Islanders team. So our focus is on that and we'll reset things a little bit and get back to it." At the morning skate on Monday, Nylander returned to the right side with Matthews and Michael Bunting, while Marner went through line rushes with Tavares and Alex Kerfoot. Keefe will not make any lineup changes against New York (who have 22 points and have lost their last two games), as forwards Nick Robertson and Wayne Simmonds wore gray extra sweaters, but will start Erik Kallgren in goal after going with Matt Murray the last three starts.
Nick Robertson and Wayne Simmonds wearing gray once again, looks like another game they will be healthy scratches. #Leafs pic.twitter.com/XYV4k2LM0P
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) November 21, 2022
Nick Robertson and Wayne Simmonds wearing gray once again, looks like another game they will be healthy scratches. #Leafs pic.twitter.com/XYV4k2LM0P
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) November 21, 2022