Sammy Blais returns to the Maple Leafs lineup, and a young forward pays the price
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
As Toronto heads into Montreal on Saturday night, there will be only one lineup change as Sammy Blais heads back in as Jacob Quillan gets the unfortunate scratch.
Toronto is looking to put in another strong effort but this time come out with a victory against the Montreal Canadiens, a couple days after a tough 3-2 OT loss to the Blue Jackets on Thursday.
Friday's projected lines looked to have no changes in the lineup, however with Saturday's game comes one key change, and it comes at the expense of a rookie.
What Sammy Blais' return means for Jacob Quillan and his spot in the lineup
It's been revealed that Craig Berube is going to be taking out Jacob Quillan and replacing him with veteran forward Sammy Blais. According to Luke Fox of Sportsnet, it's to add more physicality to the lineup:
Right now there shouldn't be any reason to panic when it comes to Quillan losing his spot, and if the coach just wants to add a bit more weight into his lineup, that's absolutely his prerogative.
Quillan brings more speed, but Blais brings far more size and physical edge although they both have similar physical builds.
Quillan is pointless in two games but has six hits however has been subpar in the face-off dot, perhaps another reason he was scratched.
Blais has three points in seven games and brings 27 hits -- his physicality is what earns him the nod tonight.
And with Montreal missing a few regulars, adding Blais' physical edge gives Toronto a way to tilt some matchups.
How Leafs fans reacted to Craig Berube's choice to sit Jacob Quillan
But regardless of that physicality, it seems the decision to take out Quillan has not gone over well with fans.
Many took to social media to vent their frustrations with Berube's lineup, and questioned why Quillan would be taken out given his energy and tenacity:
Montreal is super fast. Quillan is super fast. Leafs don't have much speed. Let's sit Quillan. Berube logic.
One fan echoed a sentiment that perhaps many Maple Leafs fans feel when it comes to who should sit, and that they can't believe Max Domi hasn't gotten a break:
Bro..sit Domi
The lineup is going to be a touch and go subject all season until the team gets their injured back, and need to use whatever they have at their disposal, so while fans are frustrated with the choices, it's not like he has a vast list of names to choose from.
It's understandable why fans would be upset, but it's part of a much bigger frustration that goes beyond just how the lineup is constructed.
The team needs to start bringing in the right pieces, which is why fans are frustrated that a promising piece like Quillan isn't getting more runway.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 22|1257 ANSWERS Sammy Blais returns to the Maple Leafs lineup, and a young forward pays the price Do you think Sammy Blais should be in the lineup for Toronto vs. Montreal? | ||
| Yes | 707 | 56.2 % |
| No | 550 | 43.8 % |
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