Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
As the Toronto Maple Leafs head into Nashville on Saturday night, they will have Joseph Woll in net while also making one big change up front.
Coming into potentially one of the biggest games of the year, at least in terms of future ramifications, it’s a do-or-die game for the Maple Leafs vs. the Nashville Predators on Saturday night.
So knowing how important things are on Saturday night, what is Craig Berube doing differently in order to make sure his team gets back on track?
Joseph Woll starts; Max Domi benched in latest Maple Leafs lineup
Well first of all, Joseph Woll gets the start after a night off against Washington. He’ll be looked at to help cut down as many second chances and have to be on his toes all night; especially with how Toronto’s defense is structured right now.
Domi has 12 points in 32 games so far this season (3 goals, 9 assists) but has an abysmal minus-13 rating, and only 16 hits.
The Maple Leafs also took out Henry Thrun and replaced him with Philippe Myers, and while you’re exchanging one depth player for another, at least Thrun somewhat moved the puck as opposed to Myers.
Berube is also going to be making lots of changes to his power play, however did not explain what those were as he preferred to keep that information a secret for now.
But it’s going to take more than a couple of changes in the lineup to make a real change going forward.
No more excuses for the Maple Leafs and their star players
This lineup change is great and all, but the team can’t afford to have their leaders and stars be absent yet again. Auston Matthews needs to wake up and figure out what’s wrong, or admit he isn’t healthy and work on doing so.
John Tavares has been the ultimate Maple Leaf but even he has shown a lack of fire recently, though he’s consistently one of the only players who give a darn night in and night out; but even he has his limits.
William Nylander needs a serious fire lit under him and the constant disagreements with Berube and shouting matches on the bench need to stop. You’re asked to play harder and better defensively, so do it. It’s not like Berube is asking you to move the sun; but at least he’s trying now.
Even Matthew Knies has to pick up the offense a little bit, as he only has one point in his last five games after starting on a torrid pace that all but assured him an Olympic spot.
There’s no more time for the team to sit there and wonder what they can do. This is a group of players who are paid a lot of money to put up elite levels of production on a nightly basis.
If they aren’t going to hold up their end of the bargain, then maybe it’s time to think about moving in a different direction.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
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Woll gets the call vs. Predators as Berube makes a much-needed lineup change
Will Toronto be able to win on Saturday against Nashville?