When the Toronto Maple Leafs step onto the ice for Game 5 against the Florida Panthers, they could have a different-looking lineup. They also might not.
That was Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube’s update after the team’s optional morning skate inside Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday morning. Usually, when Toronto holds an optional skate, the healthy scratches remain on the ice after for extra work.
However, that didn’t occur ahead of Game 5 vs. Florida. Every player set to play, or be scratched, came off together.
“Game-time decisions. We got decisions,” Berube said. “It was an optional skate this morning, and we got some decisions to make.”
‘There’s Possible Moves’: Maple Leafs Practice Lines Stay Intact, But Craig Berube Open To Changes For Game 5 Against PanthersDespite hinting at some possible changes to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup following a Game 4 loss to the Florida Panthers, Toronto head coach Craig Berube elected to keep his lines the same during the team’s practice.
David Kampf hasn’t appeared in the Maple Leafs’ lineup since April 2, against the Panthers, 42 days ago. The 30-year-old missed the final seven games of the regular season after suffering an upper-body injury.
He scored five goals and eight assists in 59 games for the Maple Leafs this season.
Kampf is one player who is usually on the ice for an optional morning skate, given that he’s been a healthy scratch for the playoffs. However, he wasn’t on the ice on Wednesday morning ahead of Game 5.
‘What Are They Going To Do?’: Maple Leafs Dismiss Panthers’ Retaliation Threat After Emotional Game 4 FinishToronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi was not in the mood to discuss the $5,000 fine he received from the NHL for his hit on Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov at the end of his club’s 2-0 loss to the Florida Panthers at the end of Game 4.
Why?
“Just an optional skate,” Berube said. “Game-time decisions, so they either go out or they don’t go out, and we’ll make the decisions at game time.”
Nick Robertson is another player who has the potential to re-enter Toronto’s lineup. He hasn’t played since Games 1 and 2 of their series against the Ottawa Senators, but is usually dynamite when he’s re-inserted into the lineup after being scratched.
It’s unknown if there’ll be one or many game-time decisions. Toronto has several players, including Calle Jarnkrok, Steven Lorentz, Pontus Holmberg, and Bobby McMann, who’ve registered just one point in the playoffs.
‘It’s Not Exactly What I Want To See’: Why The Maple Leafs Are Hesitant To Split Up Mitch Marner And Auston Matthews Against PanthersToronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube is in no hurry to break up the Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner pairing.
McMann had a career-high 20 goals in 74 games during the regular season, but has yet to score through 10 playoff games. His last goal came on March 25 against the Philadelphia Flyers, 21 games ago.
When observing how Berube has deployed his lineup in the postseason, he’s liked his fourth line of Jarnkrok, Lorentz, and Scott Laughton. He’s also leaned on Holmberg, moving him up to Toronto’s second line when protecting a lead.
That leaves McMann as a possible option, unless Berube keeps his lineup intact for Game 5. He may change more than just one player. Toronto’s head coach added, though, that if he does switch things up, it’ll be “coaching decisions” rather than anything injury-related.
‘He Probably Didn’t Even Hear Him’: Craig Berube, Maple Leafs Unfazed By Extracurriculars Against Panthers With A Focus On Game 5As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for Game 5 against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, head coach Craig Berube doesn’t appear to be losing sleep over the end-of-game antics that spilled over in their Game 4 loss, or the shenanigans from Matthew Tkachuk directed at William Nylander.
Berube’s leading several stones unturned before an all-important Game 5 against the Panthers. Does McMann come out? Does Kampf make his 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs debut?
Does Robertson return to the lineup, having not played since Games 1 and 2 against the Ottawa Senators? Does Berube make some out-of-left-field decisions?
We’ll find out during warmups — or in the final roster report before Game 5 — on Wednesday night.
Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
Read the full article here