Toronto Maple Leafs vs Seattle Kraken Game 54 Preview: Lineups, Goaltenders, & Best Bets
The Toronto Maple Leafs head west for Game 54 against the Seattle Kraken, and the frustration around lineup decisions continues to grow. With Toronto Maple Leafs facing a late 10 p.m. ET puck drop in Seattle, this game preview breaks down a lineup that remains largely unchanged — and increasingly difficult to justify. William Nylander skated but remains out, leaving Auston Matthews once again asked to drive a line with Bobby McMann and Max Domi. The discussion dives deep into Matthews’ ability to carry his own line, the defensive issues that persist, and why young players like Easton Cowan continue to lose ice time. There’s also sharp criticism of usage decisions under head coach Craig Berube, questions about development, and growing concerns about letting assets walk for nothing. Goaltending, defensive pairings, power-play struggles, and a featured best bet round out the preview before the Leafs take on the Seattle Kraken. Subscribe for postgame breakdowns, live shows, and daily Leafs coverage.
Chapters:
00:00 – Game 54 preview overview
00:51 – Nylander skates, lineup stays the same
01:33 – Matthews line breakdown
02:25 – Bobby McMann’s rising value
03:35 – Matthews’ health & line-driving debate
05:19 – Max Domi defensive concerns
07:06 – Usage criticism of Craig Berube
08:32 – Second-line & ice-time issues
09:03 – Cowan demotion & youth frustration
11:20 – Losing young players for nothing
15:12 – Defensive pairings under scrutiny
16:44 – Power-play problems
20:14 – Goaltending matchup
21:08 – Best bet recap
23:58 – Final thoughts & postgame plug
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19 comments
“Relatively quick one here”
..25 minutes 😂
#tanknation 🎉
You are right, Bobby looks great but he's in a contract year, be sure this level will drop once he gets paid
Should be good for a laugh.
Just another show,just like its just another game, lol
I have been a leaf for life but tonight I am voting for Seattle. I want change and if leafs win tonight nothing will change
I love what Dangle said earlier today, our stats are like if you're playing a video game and you leave it on while you take a 💩and then you come back and your stats are buns lol
100% Let the kids play!
You are absolutely right on complaining about the little time on ice given to the 3rd and 4th lines.
Jarnkrok & Roy .. is PK2 !
Lorrentz & Laughton is PK1
Next coach and gm need to come in with a plan to overhaul the team's culture and identity. They need the closest thing to a clean slate as they can possibly get.
time for the Leafs to try
Awesome. Agree with everything you said Zack. #Free the Kids
12:50 🎯
Rafi would at least stickup for a teammate getting crushed into the boards. Benoit should be in the press box for that reason alone. The LEAFS VIRUS come her an turn into soft as butter, even Reaves gave up being a one man army. This team couldn't win a battle against a old-timers league team, Minimum age 55.
McCabe is a 2nd pairing d-man playing top pairing matchups. He's playing with a left shot d-man on his wrong side against teams toplines, that is a major issue.
If the Leafs do not start "WINNING," dominos will begin to fall, very quickly!
Robertson could be a 25 goal man with a decent right winger, maybe 30
Who cares about shit team
As a pens fan, i wonder how much you guys regret letting Conner Dewar go. He has 13 goals now and the pens probably have the best 4th line in hockey. Lol