[Siegel] Sheldon Keefe is still mulling over what to do with the Leafs’ lines in Game 2, namely whether to keep Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner together – and how to match up with the Matthew Tkachuk line: “Probably go back and forth a bunch before tomorrow.”
Sheldon Keefe is still mulling over what to do with the Leafs’ lines in Game 2, namely whether to keep Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner together – and how to match up with the Matthew Tkachuk line: “Probably go back and forth a bunch before tomorrow.”
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) May 3, 2023
by Evening_Calm
23 Comments
>Keefe mystified as any NHL coach about the home/road disconnect in these playoffs. Leafs are 1-3 @ SBA. “It’s(frustrating). Home should be a tough place. We got off to a fine start (Tuesday), but at home you should never fade. We have to fix that and no better time than (Game 2)”
https://twitter.com/sunhornby/status/1653812574562005013?t=1lAx0qFjI_fT2rdaMGWoEg&s=19
I’m sure the players are relieved to hear that.
Guy big brains simple decisions. Stop playing Kampf against Tkachuk.
On another note, Kampf just doesn’t seem to be a playoff performer. He shys away from contact and hasn’t showed any urgency in his play. I’ve been disappointed in him.
Honestly they need to get Marner going – he looked like he was going through the motions last night (and honestly I thought he wasn’t at his normal level in G5 and G6 of R1). -2, 1 SOG, 30% xGF (second last on the team after Acciari). Getting him back to usual Marner level is huge for this series.
Hopefully they can create a lineup that works. Its too bad that their home record so far in the playoffs is so poor, especially since fans pay thousands for these tickets.
***Galaxy brain intensifies***
Seriously still trying to force a Nylander shaped peg into a Tavares shaped hole, eh Keefe? Good lord, there’s a reason JT & Willy looked like ass yesterday: you paired them together. Again. What’s next, going to scratch Liljegren and replace him with Justin Holl?
Go Bunting – ORielly – Acciari vs the Tkachuk line. Its been our best line in terms of energy and scoring ability. They will be able to wear that line down and also could generate offense vs Floridas top line.
That frees up
Jarnkrok – Matthews – Marner
Knies – Tavares – Nylander
I would also look at going 11/7 again, since these 3 lines could take 90% of the shifts.
I bet we see 11-7 tomorrow
I think Matthews has looked good enough to drive a line on his own. I’d like to see Matthews, Marner and Nylander on 3 separate lines to keep the attack rolling.
Bunting – Matthews – Jarnkrok
Knies – Tavares – Marner
Kerfoot – O’Reilly – Nylander
ZAR- Kampf – Acciari
Guy will watch holl be shit for months and still use him as his go to
But overthinks matthews and marner
11-7 incoming just fucking roll the boys and clamp down Tkchuck
I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I kept seeing Kampf vs. Tkachuk. I texted my group chat saying how does this keep happening? First thing Keefe said in his presser is the matchups were bad in the first and he needed to make a change. So that was the plan?!?! Worst center on a 4th line vs one of the best players in the league. Why?
“Probably go back and forth a bunch before tomorrow.” – now there’s a coach that inspires confidence. Tkachuk and co. out muscled the leafs along the boards all game, way more grit and determination. Marner is your 1st pick on your team in the regular season when play is soft and loose, Tkachuk is the #1 guy you want for the playoffs. Fla in 6, and that’s being generous to the leafs.
Don’t be surprised of Holl goes back in
Keefe please do not match up Kampf’s line as a defensive zone shutdown line. I don’t know why Kampf gets so much leeway and is never criticized. He is such a meh hockey player.
Are we the only team in the league without consistently set lines?
Jarnkrok – Matthews – Nylander
Knies – Tavares – Marner
Bunting – O’Reilly – Acciari
Kerfoot – Kampf
McCabe – Brodie
Rielly – Schenn
Giordano/Gustafsson – Liljegren
Roll Matthews versus Tkachuk. Need to match our best player up against theirs.
Try to take advantage of last change to free up Marner/Tavares to create offense.
Matthews/Marner get the extra minutes with Kampf/Kerfoot- this line’s responsibility is to take D-zone draws and push the puck up the ice/get off- that’s it.
Use Gustafsson for O-zone starts to ease Gio’s work-load.
Brodie/McCabe need to chill out a little- less focus on pinching and more focus on keeping a tight gap in the D-zone.
I’ve criticized Keefe a lot this year but one thing he has proven to do well is mix up the lines to success. The beauty of having Nylander and Marner is that you can switch them up. Mix in O’Reilly and even Bunting if need be. Knies has been great and can play with whomever as well.
I don’t think Keefe should worry too much about matchups other than when Kampf is out there.
He knows what he’s doing. He’s not showing his hand obviously.
Matthews Tavares Bunting
Knies O’Rielly Marner
Jarnkrok Nylander Acciari
ZAR Kampf Kerfoot
Such a below average coach. Literally been outcoached in every game but 1. Last night was pathetic
Well clearly we need to play Justin Holl, hes the glue. /s