Craig Berube Tests New Line in Practice Sparking Potential Roster Shakeup

When Game 5 takes place from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wednesday night, all eyes will be firmly set on the Maple Leafs as they try to salvage what was a 2-0 series lead into a 3-2 lead and head back to Florida to close it out.

So many questions are being asked about Craig Berube's lineup heading into the game, and while there are certainly things that could be addressed, so far it seems like he hasn't changed much.

But in practice on Tuesday, there was something in the works that was not only intriguing, but could be an indicator that he's trying something out of the Panthers playbook.

Nick Robertson, David Kampf, and Ryan Reaves were working as a unit in a sign that perhaps Craig Berube might decide to do something drastic, much like Paul Maurice ahead of Game 3.

Maurice switched out his entire fourth line and it paid off in spades, with them contributing two goals and being a nuisance for the Maple Leafs all night.

While the inconsistent Robertson, offensively anemic Reaves and defensive specialist Kampf aren't of the same ilk of Florida's fourth line, a new look could be what the team needs.

No disrespect to Bobby McMann, Calle Jarnkrok and Pontus Holmberg but they have done really nothing this postseason and their placement in the lineup is becoming a detriment.

McMann has one assist, same with Jarnkrok, and no goals; combined they have 15 shots which is a brutal number all things considered.

Guess who else has one assist in two games? Robertson. What's so wrong with giving him a look, considering he's doing the exact same thing statistically?

At least Holmberg has some defensive upside and is willing to take some nasty hits for the sake of trying to draw penalties.

Putting in that new line would add some much needed toughness and help assuage the Panthers' antics a bit, while giving Toronto the defense and offensive potential they lack.

It also plays mind games with Florida too. Reaves is an intimidating presence and wont be afraid to drop the gloves, and throw his weight around and the Panthers might just oblige him to scrap which sparks Toronto in turn.

Plus, Berube isn't giving anyone hints t what he might be cooking up either.

Plus they don't know what Kampf and Robertson can bring, especially in the playoffs. The latter was benched for a bad penalty in Game 2 against Ottawa and hasn't touched the ice since, and Kampf hasn't played at all.

So what's stopping Craig Berube from throwing a bit of a wrench into their plans? It's admirable to see him stick with what's worked, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

It doesn't feel more desperate than putting Ryan Reaves and company back in, but in this crazy season; it just might be what they need.