A Maple Leafs Forward Gets Benched While Another Earns a Big Opportunity
Photo credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
Craig Berube was definitely impressed with Easton Cowan scoring his first goal, so much so that he gave him a prime chance, while also benching a slumping winger.
While the game itself was blemished due to Chris Tanev's very serious injury scare, one bright spot coming out was the fact that Easton Cowan finally scored his first career NHL goal, after a gorgeous spin-o-rama feed from John Tavares:
For what it's worth, Cowan made the most of his opportunity and wired the shot, of which Dan Vladar had no chance at saving.
Easton Cowan Earns the Chance to Prove He Belongs on Toronto's Top Unit
It was a sign of great things to come, and on Monday we saw inklings of that with Cowan on the second line with Tavares as well as a returning William Nylander, but he was also given a very important task for the Penguins game as well:
Cowan was seen on the power play with Auston Matthews, Tavares, Nylander, and Morgan Rielly, while Matthew Knies heads to the second grouping with Max Domi, Matias Maccelli, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Nick Robertson.
But one notable absence in all of this is forward Bobby McMann, who did not skate with the team's usual lines at practice, and it could be an indication the team wants a different look on Monday night.
Having gone pointless in his last eight games, there's a bit of a need for a mental reset.
Craig Berube Sends a Loud Message With His Latest Lineup Decision
However head coach Craig Berube did indicate that while McMann wasn't lining up, it doesn't mean he wasn't playing; that's a decision for game-time.
Craig Berube says Bobby McMann isn't out tonight. Berube says he has decisions to make before game time.
But it's a sign that Berube's normally thick patience level is wearing a bit thin, and with a lack of production from someone who he expected so much from, sitting him could be a necessary evil.
Plus we've seen how Nick Robertson has picked up his game on the top line, we know what Cowan is doing, and even Blais nearly has more points than McMann and he's played two games.
While McMann has been uber-physical, that's not the only facet of his game that he needs to excel in, and the longer he goes without scoring the more we start to recognize he may have been a flash in the pan.
There's still lots of time for both Bobby McMann and the Toronto Maple Leafs to figure it out, but there's only so much patience to go around for both the team and their fans.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 3 | 1276 ANSWERS A Maple Leafs Forward Gets Benched While Another Earns a Big Opportunity Do you think Easton Cowan deserves a top-six spot over Bobby McMann? | ||
| Yes | 812 | 63.6 % |
| No | 464 | 36.4 % |
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