Dakota Joshua sees fit with Nicolas Roy and Matias Maccelli as a shutdown line

Dakota Joshua slotted back into the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup Saturday for more preseason action, as the team fell 4-2 to the Montreal Canadiens.

The game was a first look at the pairing of Joshua and Nicolas Roy on the third line, two new adds this season who boast size and physicality for Toronto’s bottom six. Speaking after the game, Joshua spoke about their first looks together.

“We would’ve liked to have more offensive zone time for sure,” he said. “But first game out there, we’re just getting the feel for each other. Maybe a second or two late here and there, but that’s what the preseason is for. We’ll sharpen up and be ready to go.”

Next to Joshua and Roy on the third line was another fresh face on the Maple Leafs in Matias Maccelli. While it’s still early, the trio look to be a potentially strong option for Toronto’s third line this season, and Joshua spoke about what he thinks they become accomplish together.

“A good, smart, shutdown line,” he said. “A line that can go out there and make sure no bad things are happening, and then tilt the ice in our direction when the time comes.”

Joshua may be new to the Maple Leafs, but he’s no stranger to Craig Berube, having played under him in St. Louis. Lots has been made of the tough mentality Toronto’s head coach is working to instill in this team, but for Joshua what stands out about the ‘Berube system’ is the clear results it provides.

“I like that you can tell when it’s working,” he said. “When you’re playing up and down instead of trying to go east-west, you notice a difference. From the first few games, when you play north-south, good things are happening. Then you can tell when we try to make too many passes or slow it down through the neutral zone, that’s when we get caught up. His system works if we do it the right way.”

Joshua and Roy are two keys adds in bringing this style of play to life, talking consistently about being hard to play against. With the regular season set to kick off on October 8th, the real test begins for Joshua, Roy, and the Leafs to show they can bring that tough style when it really counts.