Toronto Maple Leafs make shocking change regarding powerplay

PUBLICATION

Dave Colabelli
February 18, 2024 (2:57 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

It's the type of change that makes you wonder. With the Leafs already successful powerplay, they decided to make a surprising change, something that caught fans off guard as why change what is working?

Today at Leafs practice after their convincing 9-2 win versus the struggling Anaheim Ducks, Leafs coaching staff switched things up on their powerplay.

Sheldon Keefe and Maple Leafs roll with five forward on first unit

Yesterday the Toronto Maple Leafs went 4/5 on powerplays at an 80% conversion rate. The top unit consisted of four forwards and one defenceman. Tyler Bertuzzi, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Auston Matthews and Timothy Liljegren were the five making the magic happen with Morgan Rielly being out with a suspension and John Tavares being out due to illness.

Despite their success, with Tavares rejoining the team today, Liljegren got demoted from the "quarterback" spot on the powerplay.

With Tavares back, the Leafs are going with five forwards on the powerplay until Morgan Rielly returns with the team from his suspension. Timothy Liljegren gets demoted while Tavares rejoins the unit. The powerplay "Quarterback" will now be Mitch Marner, a forward, something we don't usually see in NHL powerplays.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently 2nd in the NHL for the most successful powerplays this season. Very impressive stat which makes it interesting as to why they made a switch.