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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.
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