Line Combos: Playoff Lines

[notDatsyuk]

I just don't think Nylander is best suited at center, or they would have tried him there for more than part of a game, especially where this is what, his 7th or 8th year in the league.
As for the other lines. I would go with:
Domi-Matthews-Bertuzzi
McMann/Knies-Tavares-Nylander/Marner
Dewar-Kampf-Reaves/Gregor (I just don't think Robertson is best suited for 4th line duty, he needs to play higher up, and I'm not overly fond of Gregor but Reaves can't play every game)

His first two seasons they had Matthews, Kadri, and Bozak. Then they added Tavares. Whether you agree with getting him or not, he was going to be the 2C for at least as long as Dubas was here.

You're either playing Willy at 3C or on the wing, and with the lack of depth the choice was easy.

Now that JT looks more like a 3C himself, I'd like to see them try Willy at his natural position.

 

[Leafsfan74]

I already had him sitting I think

Holmberg I imagine.

There will be injuries. This is how it goes.

 

[arso40]

Like i always say it will come down to D and G .. if we can play a tight game of MAJOR mistake free defense and clear da net area so Sammy can see pucks .. we will win

Starting G Sammy ..

Woll backup

Starting D
Rielly Boosh
McCabe Benoit
Brodie Edmundson

Lily and Gio and Timmer as backups


If Brodie screws up bad game 1 then insert in Lily for him

not gonna happen

 

[diehardleafsfan9878]

We've seen the Boosh show in the playoffs before, it doesn't go well...

 

[Shanwhatplan]

Lines look good, except that I don't like JT and Willy together.

Willy always played centre except with the Leafs. Considering we had Matty as 1C, and were paying $11M for JT to be our 2C, they had to either play him at 3C or on the wing, and with no depth it was an easy call.

With more depth on the wings and JT looking more and more like a 3C, it might be time to try Willy at his natural position next year.

Yes, I agree, maybe next season try him at center.

 

[Jacquestrapless]

Bert - Matthews - Domi
Knies - Tavares - Marner
McMann - Holmberg - Nylander
Dewar - Kampf - Reaves
Jarnkrok can come back on the 4th line when healthy

Rielly - McCabe
Ed - Lily
Benoit - ?

Samsonov
Woll

Realistically, I expect Marner to be on the top line and Domi on the 3rd

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Bertuzzi-Matthews-Domi
McMann-Tavares-Marner
Jarnkrok-Kampf-Nylander
Knies-Dewar-Reaves

Rielly-Lyubushkin
Benoit-McCabe
Edmundson-Liljegren

Samsonov
Woll

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Bertuzzi-Matthews-Domi
McMann-Tavares-Marner
Jarnkrok-Kampf-Nylander
Knies-Dewar-Reaves

Rielly-Lyubushkin
Benoit-McCabe
Edmundson-Liljegren

Samsonov
Woll

I think that D corps is a good one to start Florida series .. but Keefer is gonna pick Brodie on da 3rd pair as a vet .. his justification will be Lily has not been able to withstand a strong forecheck against playoff bound teams .. fyi Rielly did a much better job of eating pucks on forecheck last night .. looks like he is learning trade a bit better .. both Lily and Brodie WORRY me for different reasons .. but they are both better than Gio at this point

 

[MapleLeafs77]

Bertuzzi Matthews Marner
Knies Domi Nylander
McMann Tavares Jarnkrok
Dewar Kampf Reaves

 

[hockeynorth]

I'd like to see:

Bertuzzi - Matthews - Marner
McMann - Tavares - Nylander
Robertson - Domi - Jarnkrok
Dewar - Kampf - Knies

 

[wingman75]

Jonas over at The Athletic did some surmising in his article posted today. Paywalled, yes but here is his prediction as of today:

Game 1 projection

LINE	LW	C	RW
1	Bertuzzi	Matthews	Marner
2	McMann	Tavares	Nylander
3	Knies	Domi	Järnkrok
4	Dewar	Kämpf	Reaves
Pairing	LD	RD
1	Rielly	Lyubushkin
2	Brodie	McCabe
3	Edmundson	Liljegren
Goalie
1	Samsonov

Line three is still a going concern.

 

[peconcan]

Domi Matthews Marner
Bertuzzi Nylander Jarnkrok
Knies JT McMann
Holmberg/Dewar/Robertson Kampf Reaves

 

[NJG]

With a full healthy line-up (we need some more righties on this team and centers):

Bertuzzi - Matthews - Marner
Domi - Tavares - Nylander
Knies/McMann - Kampf - Jarnkrok
Knies/McMann - Dewar - Reaves

Rielly - Lyubushkin
Benoit - McCabe
Brodie - Edmunson

Samsonov - Jones - Woll

 

[thewave]

We don't do line combos. We have Keefe shift salads.

 

[The Podium]

Bertuzzi - Matthews - Domi
McMann - Tavares - Marner
Knies - Holmberg - Nylander
Dewar - Kampf - Reaves
Jarnkork, Robertson

Or

Bertuzzi - Matthews - Marner
McMann - Tavares - Nylander
Knies - Domi - Jarnkrok
Dewar - Kampf - Reaves
Robertson, Holmberg

Reilly - Lyubushkin
Benoit - McCabe
Edmundson - Liljregren
Gio, Brodie

Samsonov
Woll

Jonas over at The Athletic did some surmising in his article posted today. Paywalled, yes but here is his prediction as of today:

Game 1 projection

LINE	LW	C	RW
1	Bertuzzi	Matthews	Marner
2	McMann	Tavares	Nylander
3	Knies	Domi	Järnkrok
4	Dewar	Kämpf	Reaves
Pairing	LD	RD
1	Rielly	Lyubushkin
2	Brodie	McCabe
3	Edmundson	Liljegren
Goalie
1	Samsonov

Line three is still a going concern.

Boom 2 for 2 up front

 

[aingefan]

Jonas over at The Athletic did some surmising in his article posted today. Paywalled, yes but here is his prediction as of today:

Game 1 projection

LINE	LW	C	RW
1	Bertuzzi	Matthews	Marner
2	McMann	Tavares	Nylander
3	Knies	Domi	Järnkrok
4	Dewar	Kämpf	Reaves
Pairing	LD	RD
1	Rielly	Lyubushkin
2	Brodie	McCabe
3	Edmundson	Liljegren
Goalie
1	Samsonov

Line three is still a going concern.

I’m feeling like 7D is the likely starting point, so Brodie is in the lineup for penalty killing and tight moments.

Well done!

 

[Gallagbi]

I can't see the talent split working long term, we just don't have the C depth with Domi on wing

 

[Torontonian]

I can't see the talent split working long term, we just don't have the C depth with Domi on wing

I think it can work if they Swapped Willy and Marner. Marner is much more capable to drive a line by himself compared to Willy. I also wonder who comes out when Jarnkrok is back and ready to go.

I think Holmberg has been okay as the 3rd line center as long as you shelter him, but he cannot try to go up against the other teams top players, with how the 3rd line is, I think the 2nd line is more likely to become the "shutdown" line more then the 3rd line would.

 

[thusk]

I think it can work if they Swapped Willy and Marner. Marner is much more capable to drive a line by himself compared to Willy. I also wonder who comes out when Jarnkrok is back and ready to go.

I think Holmberg has been okay as the 3rd line center as long as you shelter him, but he cannot try to go up against the other teams top players, with how the 3rd line is, I think the 2nd line is more likely to become the "shutdown" line more then the 3rd line would.

if you using marner on 3rd line, 3rd will be the shutdown line, certainly not the 2nd

 

[aingefan]

I’d like to see NickRob with JT and MM before the season is out.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Perfect Jarnkrok description I saw on Twitter. Can't wait until he's back.

 

[conFABulator]

I can't see the talent split working long term, we just don't have the C depth with Domi on wing

I don't know...I think there was reason to be concerned about two of our playoff centres being Domi and Tavares. Those lines would quite possibly lose match ups on the road.

Holmberg with Knies and Nylander is a pretty balanced line. Holmberg has skill and some defensive conscience and abilities.

A line with Tavares, Marner and McMann also be a strong two way line.

If we have a need for a shutdown line I like Dewar, Kampf and Jarnkrok. Of course, this means no Reaves or Robertson. Good depth though along with Gregor.

Other teams will have to focus on shutting down Matthews, Bertuzzi, and Domi. Good luck.

If these lines click I feel as though this would be difficult to defend and counter.

 

[seanlinden]

I can't see the talent split working long term, we just don't have the C depth with Domi on wing

If the Leafs keep the lines as in practice today -- Keefe will have my major kudos.

William Nylander had (IIRC) one of his best playoff series playing with Alex Kerfoot. He's a guy who's a little bit selfish with the puck, and doesn't really depend on, or feed off of, his linemates for production. He just needs somebody with decent speed and two-way ability in the middle of the ice.

They should probably consider switching Bertuzzi & Knies, to give Nylander a guy that's a little better crashign the net, and Matthews somebody that's a little better along the wall, but that's details.

The way the lines are now constructed, Nylander should benefit from seeing 3rd defensive pairs and 2nd/3rd lines more consistently.

 

[meefer]

Bertuzzi Matthews Domi
Knies Tavares Marner
McMann Holmberg Nylander
Dewar Kamph Jarnkrok

 

[Gallagbi]

If the Leafs keep the lines as in practice today -- Keefe will have my major kudos.

William Nylander had (IIRC) one of his best playoff series playing with Alex Kerfoot. He's a guy who's a little bit selfish with the puck, and doesn't really depend on, or feed off of, his linemates for production. He just needs somebody with decent speed and two-way ability in the middle of the ice.

They should probably consider switching Bertuzzi & Knies, to give Nylander a guy that's a little better crashign the net, and Matthews somebody that's a little better along the wall, but that's details.

The way the lines are now constructed, Nylander should benefit from seeing 3rd defensive pairs and 2nd/3rd lines more consistently.

Jarn gives them wing options, but it's ultimately center that's the concern given Holmberg is a sub 30 point rookie you're hoping can prey on "easier" matchups. I like Holmberg, but it's a big jump asking him to be a solid offensive contributor.


Their best option is to have Domi center that line with Willy and Knies, then hope Jarn can fit with Bert - Matthews, but you're losing the past first players Matthews is used to playing with and really it's Domi - Matthews you want to see more time with, not Bert.