Craig Berube Admits Lineup Challenges as Leafs Prepare for Playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube admitted that he hasn't figured it all out when it comes to his lineup as the playoffs creep up on the team.
The question all season is how does Craig Berube best utilize his lineup on a game to game basis. It seems that changes are always around the corner, and it seems like there may be a reason for that.
Regarding his lineup changes (including moving Bobby McMann to the second line) and who he feels best suited gives him the greatest advantage come playoff time, he relented that he hasn't yet figured it out, which could be worrisome to fans:
We always kind of looked at it that way throughout the season. Do you want to spread it out a little bit? I think he's been a good fit there when we put him there, been there with those guys before, and they come through. It's always tinkering it around a little bit.
It's a little bit of a battle still. I think Max [Domi] and Robbi [Nick Robertson] have played a ton together this year.
I moved Bobby McMann up and I still work in pairs more than I work in lines I would say. Always have. You gotta mix things up once in a while, we do that, we move a winger here and there around.
It's a little bit of a battle still. I think Max [Domi] and Robbi [Nick Robertson] have played a ton together this year.
I moved Bobby McMann up and I still work in pairs more than I work in lines I would say. Always have. You gotta mix things up once in a while, we do that, we move a winger here and there around.
Craig Berube Needs To Roll With The Hot Hand And Stop Changing Things
It's that movement that frustrates some, as a line can't truly gain chemistry if they only get a couple of chances to earn it. It's a great sign that Craig Berube hasn't made too many drastic changes, and McMann's promotion was well deserved after his great season so far.
But the team only has 13 games left, and if Berube is insistent on still changing his lineups night in and night out, how are the playoffs going to look? Is he going to keep changing things depending on the game, or will he let a group take the reins and roll with it?
It's a gamble that Toronto might not be able to afford unless they get first in the division.
If they know they can take the home field advantage and use that as a buffer to swap a player or two in and out, it's not a huge deal.
But if they are heading into a Game 3/4 at home with a janky lineup trying to figure it out, they could end up leaving disappointed; at home too nonetheless.
Unless a player is a glaring detriment to the team (such as David Kampf's lack of offense, or Ryan Reaves' previous lack of anything on the ice), then Berube needs to let them do their thing.
They understand the assignment, they've bought into his system, he just needs to let them work now.
So we'll see how the lineup looks against Nashville, as Berube is sticking with what works. If they come out firing, then maybe he needs to take heed of an old adage:
Let it be.
| POLL | ||
MARS 22 | 476 ANSWERS Craig Berube Admits Lineup Challenges as Leafs Prepare for Playoffs Do you think Craig Berube needs to make a drastic change to his third lines? | ||
| Yes | 345 | 72.5 % |
| No | 131 | 27.5 % |
| List of polls | ||