On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Toronto Maple Leafs hold a 2-0 lead over the Ottawa Senators in Round 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Most teams are hesitant to change a winning lineup, especially in the postseason, but head coach Craig Berube is mulling over his options ahead of Game 3 on Thursday (April 24). He mentioned that the team’s player personnel will probably remain the same as in the previous two contests. However, if the Maple Leafs decided to switch things up, who would come out, and who should go in?
The goaltending and defence corps have been excellent, meaning the only area that could receive adjustments for Game 3 is the forward group.
Candidates to Sit for Game 3
Max Domi earned himself a longer leash after scoring the overtime winner in Game 2. Before stepping up in a big moment, his lack of puck management and poor decision-making dropped him from the John Tavares-William Nylander combination to serving as the third-line centre. The Maple Leafs moved Pontus Holmberg up to the second line, and Berube has been impressed with the results. The Toronto bench boss praised the play of Holmberg frequently down the stretch in the regular season and early into the playoffs.
Calle Jarnkrok might’ve been an option, but he has generated plenty of chances and has meshed nicely with Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz on the fourth line. The trio played well in the 6-2 victory over the Senators on Sunday (April 20) in Game 1, and they were rewarded in Game 2 by being part of the starting lineup. The 33-year-old Jarnkrok struggled after returning to the lineup in early March from groin and sports hernia surgery. However, he improved as the regular season wound down and has carried that momentum into the 2025 Playoffs.
Nicholas Robertson is the top candidate to be a healthy scratch. He has a team-low 10:18 of playing time per game while posting one assist and six shots on goal. The 23-year-old forward logged only 9:36 of ice time in Tuesday’s (April 22) 3-2 overtime win over the Senators. He received a careless two-minute penalty for high-sticking in the second period, resulting in a power-play goal against the Maple Leafs.
Candidates to Play in Game 3
Despite being on the roster, Ryan Reaves shouldn’t be considered a viable option. The Maple Leafs have iced a better, more balanced lineup without the 38-year-old enforcer. The team had a 20-13-2 record with him in the fold and went 32-13-2 without him. He would supply energy and physicality, but staying disciplined in the series takes precedence, and playing Reaves is an invitation to the on-ice officials to monitor everything he does with a microscope. It would also run counter to locking down the Senators defensively because that task becomes more demanding with him on the ice.
David Kampf last played on April 2 in a 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers, logging only 8:10 of action, his fourth-lowest mark of the 2024-25 campaign. Including the regular season, he has been a healthy scratch for nine straight games. However, he would be an intriguing option for Game 3 if the Maple Leafs want a defensive presence for the third line. Kampf’s insertion into the lineup could keep Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews fresher by taking away some penalty-kill minutes. The Senators gave extra shifts to Tim Stutzle in Game 2, attempting to create mismatches and free him up to do damage offensively. Due to their reliability without the puck, Kampf and Laughton would alleviate some of the worry as the Maple Leafs’ bottom-six pivots.
Max Pacioretty would be an interesting option for Game 3. Despite still appearing on the long-term injured reserve list, he is available to play after missing the final 27 games of the regular season because of an undisclosed injury. He would add size and a physical dimension to the bottom six and can contribute offensively. Still, he hasn’t played since Feb. 8 against the Vancouver Canucks, and with his injury history, it could be challenging for him to return to game speed in the playoffs. On the other hand, the 36-year-old winger will probably get into a game at some point, and it might as well be now, as it’s still early in the series. Plus, it’s not like the third and fourth lines have been getting a significant chunk of playing time through the first two postseason games. Pacioretty wouldn’t need to take on too much responsibility while getting a trial run to see how his body responds to the rigours of a playoff outing.
What Should the Maple Leafs Do for Game 3?
Keeping the same forward group and lines should be the preferred route because there isn’t a strong enough reason to change what has been working. It could benefit the team to give Robertson a chance to bounce back and atone for his error. Despite some struggles from the third line, the trio still possesses offensive potential, and Robertson’s shooting ability is a considerable part of that. If the struggles continue and a change is warranted, Pacioretty makes the most sense, but there is a case for Kampf to be a strong consideration.
Despite Berube’s appreciation for Holmberg, Bobby McMann is worthy of a promotion to the top six to halt his goalless slump. In that case, Holmberg could join Domi on the third line with Pacioretty or Kampf, and the fourth combination should probably be left intact. If Holmberg stays in the top six, Pacioretty and McMann could be effective bang-and-crash wingers for Domi.
More must-reads:
- Flyers first-round pick expected to commit to Michigan State
- WNBA All-Star Game ratings paint a troubling picture
- The 'NBA all-time 50-point game leaders' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Chicago Blackhawks reportedly set to trade 25-year-old goaltender to Stars rival, Edmonton Oilers
Ryan Reaves' Clear Opinion of Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews
Before Ryan Reaves was traded to the San Jose Sharks earlier this summer, he had a front-row seat to Auston Matthews' first season wearing the “C” for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Matthews dealt with injury setbacks throughout the year, missing 15 games after hurting himself during training camp. He still found a way to finish the season, racking up 78 points in 67 regular-season games, adding 11 points in 13 playoff outings. Reaves appeared on the "Leafs Morning Take" podcast on Monday to discuss that and many other topics. Reaves opened up on his two seasons in Toronto. The enforcer offered insight into what made the 2024–25 campaign unique and how Matthews handled the spotlight during his first year as the team captain. “I think a lot of (Matthews') leadership is led by example,” Reaves said. “He works incredibly hard in practice. And on the ice, I think you see how hard he works in all three zones. “Obviously, grinding through some issues this year, and, you know, really trying to grind through it for the team.” Reaves said that even though Matthews was forced to miss time throughout the season, the captain maintained a presence Reaves — a 38-year-old veteran — found instructive, especially for younger players in the locker room. “To me, Auston was a guy who really led by example, really tried to drag guys into battles, practice,” Reaves said. “Never took days off, never, never coasted in practice. Always working his (expletive) off, on the ice before everybody else, off the ice last, you know. “(It’s) something that, as a vet, it was great to see. It really teaches those young guys how to, how to be, you know, the best in the world.” Reaves, however, acknowledged that Matthews wasn’t the most vocal captain he’d ever played with. That said, the veteran still respected Matthews' approach to leading the Maple Leafs. “Everybody leads differently, right?” Reaves said. “You can’t be the most vocal and the most leading by example, you can’t, you can’t do it all.”
Kelsey Plum takes shot at Caitlin Clark after WNBA All-Star Game
On Saturday night, Kelsey Plum was part of Team Collier's 151-131 win over Team Clark in the WNBA All-Star Game, scoring 16 points, grabbing five rebounds and dishing out three assists. Following the game, the Los Angeles Sparks star was asked about WNBA All-Stars wearing shirts before the game that read, "Pay Us What You Owe Us." Specifically, Plum was asked about how that idea came together. "The T-shirt — just a united front," she said. "That was determined this morning, that we had a meeting for. Not to tattletale, but zero members of Team Clark were very present for that." Plum said it with a chuckle. However, she was sitting next to New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, who rolled her eyes and said, "Didn't really need to be mentioned" before laughing. It was awkward, especially because Caitlin Clark, as well as all of the members of Team Clark, wore the shirts. If Clark didn't wear the shirt, you could understand some backlash. But she did. It should also be noted that Team Collier featured the president of the WNBA Players Association, Nneka Ogwumike, as well as the first vice president, Plum, and two vice presidents, Napheesa Collier and Brenna Stewart. It makes sense if they took on greater leadership roles in a statement like this against the league. Whether Plum likes it or not, the reason the WNBA has any sort of leverage heading into these negotiations with the league is Clark. She would do well to remember that the next time she wants to take an unnecessary shot at Clark, who is responsible for the greatest surge in fan attention the WNBA has ever seen.
Alex Cora appeared to tamper with Kyle Schwarber
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora appeared to tamper with Kyle Schwarber on Tuesday. Cora’s Red Sox were in the middle of a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies, which is why the subject of Schwarber came up. Phillies Nation reporter Destiny Lugardo asked Cora about Schwarber’s upcoming free agency. The Red Sox manager said he would be “very, very intrigued” to see how Schwarber’s free agency plays out. Lugardo took that to mean that Cora will be advocating for the Red Sox to try to sign Schwarber. However, Cora acknowledged that Philadelphia has been great for the slugger. I hate to say it, but (Philly) is a perfect place for him,” Cora said, via Lugardo. Schwarber, 32, was a trade-deadline acquisition by the Red Sox in 2021. He batted .291 with a .957 OPS in 41 regular-season games with the team. The Red Sox lost in the ALCS that year with Cora as the manager. During that offseason, Schwarber signed a 4-year, $79 million contract with the Phillies, which has worked out well. Schwarber has slugged 164 home runs over his four seasons with the Phillies with an .849 OPS. He has been such a good fit with the Phillies that the team might not want to let him go. The problem is, Cora even just describing himself “intrigued” over Schwarber’s free agency may be enough to be considered tampering with a player who is under contract with another team.
Bears meeting with one-year wonder Pro Bowler is really strange
The Chicago Bears' receiving corps is already pretty loaded as it is. They have D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze as their top two wide receivers, they signed Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency and they also selected Luther Burden III in the NFL draft. The Bears' receiver room is so crowded, in fact, that they will have some pretty tough roster decisions to make when it comes time to trim things down to 53 players, which is why Zaccheaus himself could actually represent a potential trade candidate even though he just signed. Why, then, did Chicago feel the need to meet with former Pro Bowl pass-catcher DJ Chark earlier this week? Chark spent the 2024 campaign with the Los Angeles Chargers and barely made an impact, logging four catches for 31 yards and a touchdown. There was a time when Chark looked to be an ascending talent at the position, as he hauled in 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight scores with the Jacksonville Jaguars back in 2019. Thanks to injuries and a major dropoff in production overall, Chark has not approached those numbers since, finishing with over 500 yards just three times over the last five seasons. There are definitely teams that make sense for Chark, who is still just 28 years old and may be able to resurrect his career somewhere. But the Bears aren't one of them. Chicago is cultivating Odunze, and just about everyone expects Burden to be a Day 1 burner for Caleb Williams and the offense. We already know what Moore can do, and Zaccheaus was actually really good in Washington last year. Throw in names like Tyler Scott and Devin Duvernay, and it's hard to see where Chark fits into the equation. I guess it doesn't hurt to not leave any stone unturned, but again, the Bears' depth chart is pretty crammed as it is. Unless Chicago is planning on making a trade somewhere (Zaccheaus?), bringing Chark onto the squad doesn't really add up.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
