Projected Maple Leafs lineup vs Bruins after today's practice changes
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Maple Leafs made some adjustments to their lines at today's practice, offering a clear projection for tonight's game against the Bruins.
Coming into Tuesday night on a two-game skid, the Maple Leafs are going to look to turn things around as they prepare for a rematch against the Bruins.
What today's practice revealed about the Maple Leafs' line changes
Craig Berube adjusted his combinations during practice, giving a clearer picture of tonight's projected lineup.
So how did Berube ice his players at practice? Let's take a look:
Matthew Knies - Auston Matthews - Nicholas Robertson
Bobby McMann - John Tavares - William Nylander
Dakota Joshua - Nicolas Roy - Matias Maccelli
Steven Lorentz - Max Domi - Sammy Blais
Bobby McMann - John Tavares - William Nylander
Dakota Joshua - Nicolas Roy - Matias Maccelli
Steven Lorentz - Max Domi - Sammy Blais
Morgan Rielly - Brandon Carlo
Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Philippe Myers
Simon Benoit - Jake McCabe
Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Philippe Myers
Simon Benoit - Jake McCabe
Starter: Anthony Stolarz
Backup: Dennis Hildeby
Backup: Dennis Hildeby
Scratched: Calle Jarnkrok, Dakota Mermis
Injured: Chris Tanev (upper body), Scott Laughton (upper body)
Injured: Chris Tanev (upper body), Scott Laughton (upper body)
Calle Jarnkrok rotated out, Sammy Blais drew in, and Berube separated Nylander from Matthews to distribute scoring across two lines.
The defense remains the same, and Anthony Stolarz will again get the start after sitting on Sunday as Dennis Hildeby started against Carolina.
Stolarz enters with a 6-5-1 record with a 3.35 GAA and .889 SV% in 12 starts this season.
What the adjustments tell us about the coaching staff's evaluation
It was something the coach touched on after practice as he spoke to reporters:
Not a lot of difference. It's just spread it out a little bit. I do like Willy with Matthews but I think at the same time it's nice to have a little bit more threat on two lines so that was the reasoning for tonight.
The staff is signaling a two-line scoring approach rather than stacking Matthews with Nylander.
Injuries continue to limit available combinations, and the staff will reassess when Scott Laughton, Chris Tanev and Joseph Woll return.
Toronto and Boston will face-off from TD Garden in Boston on Tuesday night. Puck drop is 7 p.m. ET; Final lineups will be confirmed during pre-game warmups.
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NOVEMBRE 11|1515 ANSWERS Projected Maple Leafs lineup vs Bruins after today's practice changes Who has the advantage tonight? Toronto or Boston? | ||
| Boston | 1399 | 92.3 % |
| Toronto | 116 | 7.7 % |
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