Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube Confirms What Many Had Suspected Ahead of Game 5
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Following Tuesday’s optional skate, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has confirmed what many had suspected ahead of an all-important Game 5.
In Matthews’ absence, David Kampf skated between Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies as the top line centre, acting as a placeholder for Matthews, while rookie goaltender Artur Akhtyamov sat in for Woll. These placeholders seemed to indicate that there would be no actual lineup changes for Game 5.
Following an optional skate on Tuesday morning, which featured Auston Matthews returning to the ice for some light work after a couple of days off, Berube confirmed to the media in Toronto that the Leafs would be running back the same lineup from Game 4 with another chance to close the series out.
“I’ve liked our game so I don’t see a reason to change it right now,” Berube said of his lineup decision.
The decision by Berube confirms that Nick Robertson will once again spend the night in the press box as a healthy scratch. Here’s how the lineup breaks down for Game 5, based on the lines and pairings from Game 4:
Knies-Matthews-Marner
Holmberg-Tavares-Nylander
McMann-Domi-Pacioretty
Lorentz-Laughton-Jarnkrok
Rielly-Carlo
McCabe-Tanev
Benoit-OEL
Stolarz (starter)
Woll
The Leafs have an opportunity to close out the series tonight, which would set them up for some rest in between rounds. This is particularly beneficial, as their next opponent, should they beat the Sens, would be either Tampa Bay or Florida.
The Panthers and Lightning are currently in the process of beating the heck out of one another in their very rough Round 1 matchup.
Like the Leafs, the Panthers also lead their series 3-1, and can close it out this week.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
POLL
AVRIL 29Â Â Â |Â Â Â 1924 ANSWERS
Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube Confirms What Many Had Suspected Ahead of Game 5
Do you think Nick Robertson should be in the Maple Leafs’ lineup in these playoffs?
MAPLELEAFSDAILY.COM
COPYRIGHT @2025 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMSÂ Â –Â Â POLICIES