Craig Berube Confirms Leafs Lineup vs. Panthers with Shocking Twist

Toronto will have their hands full with the Florida Panthers as the team is getting a few key reinforcements back for the big Atlantic Division clash including defensive wizard Aleksander Barkov, whose absence was a key factor in Toronto coming away with a victory last time around.

The team is riding a hot hand right now coming off a 5-0 shutout win over Columbus, and with certain players looking like they are finally coming into form, it can only mean good things for the team come playoff time; regardless of who they face.

So Craig Berube isn't really changing much in terms of his forward and defensive makeup against the Panthers on Tuesday, however he did make one critical swap and is going to start Joseph Woll instead of Anthony Stolarz; giving him the first start of the season against his potential first round opponent.

The lineup then will go as follows:

Knies - Matthews - Marner
McMann - Tavares - Nylander
Laughton - Domi - Jarnkrok
Lorentz - Holmberg - Robertson

Ekman-Larsson - Tanev
Rielly - Carlo
Benoit - Myers

Woll
Stolarz

If the team had their way, they would face Florida without all of their key pieces, however given that's not the reality, it's a good consolation they don't need to deal with Sam Bennett, who is going to be out for the rest of the season to be fully prepared for the playoffs.

But the Maple Leafs are feeling different the last couple of weeks, and whether it's motivation for winning the division, or they are fed up with the narrative they can't make it happen when it counts; the team has been fantastic all around.

The one thing besides the Leafs sudden uptick in production that has to be fantastic is Joseph Woll, who earned the start after Anthony Stolarz held down the fort in back to back starts.

Woll's getting his feet wet against a potential first round opponent and a good showing on Tuesday will make Craig Berube's life both easier and more difficult. Sure, he's now got two great goaltenders to pick in the playoffs, but the harder question is who is the best to maintain their production over seven games.

If Toronto comes out swinging and don't let up on the gas, the Panthers might be in big trouble if the two meet in Round One.

But if the Maple Leafs get shut down simply by a factor of a couple players Florida has brought back, what hope do they have when the team is at full capacity come the playoffs?