While the Maple Leafs seek instant chemistry on their forward lines, the unforeseen often interferes with the best laid plans.
That was partly the reason Auston Matthews won’t be with the new first line in Saturday’s home date against Montreal that he’s centred all week with Matthew Knies and Max Domi. Wanting a look at different people in different roles and not wishing to over-do the captain in pre-season action, Matthews practised in the morning, but will will sit, with his aforementioned wingers shuffled, Domi to the middle with Knies and the promoted Nick Robertson.
“I’m not too worried (about Matthews),” coach Craig Berube said. “I think he’s been very good in camp with how he looks, his effort and competitiveness. He’s going to get another game (next week against Detroit).”
Berube agreed this was a good time “too see guys working together, our NHL guys in different spots, things like that. I’m excited tio see it.”
While Matthews said earlier he was content with just a couple of exhibition games, having scored Tuesday against Ottawa, the line of Dakota Joshua, Nicolas Roy and Matias Maccelli, all newcomers, stayed put, while Calle Jarnkrok joined John Tavares and William Nylander in Bobby McMann’s left-wing role. McMann and David Kampf had maintenance days and were off the ice completely on Saturday.
“We’re all new, but all the coaching staff did a pretty good job getting us ready for this system,” Roy said, noting his and Joshua’s size combined with Maccelli’s forechecking and offensive ability should make them an ideal third line.
Saturday will also be Roy’s first game in Toronto (he’d yet to see his dressing stall at Scotiabank Arena) and he was pumped it was against his home province Canadiens.
In one of the last pre-season games, Berube will utilize farmhands, Michael Pezzetta, Jacob Quillan and Borya Valis will form the fourth line, with Scott Laughton, Steven Lorentz and Easton Cowan resting. Unable to get the injured Simon Benoit cleared for full contact, Matt Benning joined Oliver Ekman-Larsson as the third defence pair.
Anthony Stolarz makes his first pre-season start in goal, with James Reimer spending Saturday morning in his first practice on a PTO contract with the secondary group. Berube said he and general manager Brad Treliving have not decided if Reimer will play during the Detroit home and home.
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