Craig Berube Makes Major Lineup Changes for Pivotal Standings Battle

With the team coming off a tough loss against the Florida Panthers, and heading into a must-win game against the Ottawa Senators, Toronto is going to need to come out swinging and keep the foot on the gas, even if they find themselves up early.

So as important as this game is, so is getting the offense back on track. The team has seen a lack of balance and with their top stars slacking; it's been a rough stretch for the Leafs.

That's why Craig Berube decided to do what he should have done months ago, and made a drastic change to his lineup.

It's a stark contrast to what the team normally throws out there, and it gives Toronto much more balance, and gives a brand new look to a team desperate to find some extra chemistry.

Hand it to Craig Berube, better late than never. He reunites Max Domi with Auston Matthews as the two have historically had chemistry, plus Domi gets rewarded for his best game of the season against Florida.

The second line gets Mitch Marner and Bobby McMann on John Tavares' line however having two cycle heavy passers might be a bit of a burden (so Mitch needs to shoot more).

William Nylander gets a crack on the third line with Scott Laughton and Calle Jarnkrok, with Berube perhaps hoping that the defensively sound forwards can give Nylander more breakaway opportunities and putting a bit less pressure on the Swede to perform.

It also gives Toronto a better idea of how to utilize their top stars come playoff time, as a more balanced lineup will lead to a more successful result.

The most surprising move arguably is the removal of David Kampf in the lineup and instilling Pontus Holmberg instead. Kampf has been steady, but Berube needs to find a way to get Robertson back in the lineup, and Jarnkrok can't sit again; he deserves a night off.

It's not the end of things, and if the lineup doesn't gel together then Berube will no doubt bring things back to the status quo sooner than later.

But if he finds himself with a new-look team and some newfound offense? He better keep it rolling for as long as he can.