Toronto Maple Leafs reveal lines for critical Game 3 vs. Panthers
The Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping to move one step closer to their ultimate goal on Friday night.
They are up 2-0 in their second-round series against the Florida Panthers, and Toronto has a chance to advance as far as they have in the playoffs since 2002.
Toronto hasn’t won seven games in a single postseason since a run to the Conference Finals 23 years ago, where they knocked off the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes.
While some teams tinker heavily with their lines in order to get the right combination throughout a playoff run, that hasn’t been the case for Leafs bench boss Craig Berube in his first year with the team.
After inserting Max Pacioretty into the lineup against the Senators in Game 3 of their first-round matchup this year, Berube has left things largely unchanged for how he’s run his team, save for a few swaps throughout the bottom part of his lineup.
Things haven’t always been pretty for the Leafs thus far in the playoffs, but they’re one of just two teams (along with the Edmonton Oilers) who can claim that they’re just 10 wins away from the Stanley Cup right now.
Here’s how the Leafs trotted out their forward lines for Friday’s morning skate, as per Hockey News’ David Alter:
- Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
- Max Pacioretty-John Tavares-William Nylander
- Bobby McMann-Max Domi-Pontus Holmberg
- Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok
And here’s what the defencemen look like, as they have for the ninth game in a row:
- Jake McCabe – Chris Tanev
- Morgan Rielly – Brandon Carlo
- Simon Benoit – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
With Anthony Stolarz being injured in Game 1, Joseph Woll is set to start for the second consecutive game in a row, while Dennis Hildeby will be the backup.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. EDT, with the game broadcast nationally on Sportsnet and CBC.
- You might also like:
- Sheldon Keefe reflects on 'average' first year away from Toronto Maple Leafs