Maple Leafs Reunite Winning Lineup for Showdown Against Canucks
With Toronto looking to bounce back from a loss against Carolina, Craig Berube is going back to what made the team successful to start 2025.
Securing a victory on the last day of 2024, and finding great success to start 2025, the Maple Leafs looked set to be a force to be reckoned with as the second half of the season gets underway.
The team has been solid so far in January, however coming off a rough 6-3 loss against the Hurricanes on Thursday, Craig Berube has decided that he needs to back to what works.
So on practice Saturday ahead of their game against the Vancouver Canucks, the Leafs bench boss made a few changes that left out some familiar, though unsurprising names.
Ryan Reaves And Pontus Holmberg Earn A Press Box Night
Both Ryan Reaves and Pontus Holmberg get to watch from the press box tonight, and it's not a big shock to see why.
Reaves has been basically non-existent this season. Not expected to perform offensively, he has yet to even fight this year (his main job) and Toronto is statistically worse with him on the ice.
He provides a spark and throws some hits but it doesn't win games and there's no reason to keep a 38-year old in the lineup, especially when you need a bounce back game both offensively and defensively.
This season Reaves has zero goals, two assists, 86 hits and 23 PIM in 27 games for the Maple Leafs, often the first choice for a healthy scratch.
Holmberg has been a big disappointment for Toronto this year. Expected to play a big third-line role especially with Calle Jarnkrok injured, he has done anything but.
Not contributing on offense, he's taking more penalties, gives the puck away too much, and while he is blocking some shots, he's way less aggressive this season.
This season Holmberg has two goals and four assists in 33 games for Toronto, and while he's not expected to be a 20-goal scorer, he needs to chip in more especially when the team decides to slide him in the lineup.
The Maple Leafs are going to presumably lineup with the following roster, however as is his forte, Craig Berube could change these at any moment.
Toronto heads back home against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night with the game scheduled to start at 7pm ET.
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