Maple Leafs Announce Projected Lineup for Game 7 vs. Panthers

As Game 7 is going to take place from Scotiabank Arena on Sunday night, all eyes are firmly focused on whether or not the Maple Leafs can pull off the seemingly impossible task of knocking off the reigning champions and secure their spot in the Conference Finals.

Things won't be easy, and the Maple Leafs won't have the help of Anthony Stolarz yet again, though they will see the return of Matthew Knies to the lineup after suffering an injury in Game 6.

With his return, does that mean Craig Berube is going to change anything in order to maybe give him a bit of respite?

This is the playoffs, so absolutely not. Knies was seen skating with his usual linemates ahead of Game 7, and it was announced that Berube is making zero changes from Game 6; running with the lineup that got them to this point.

It may not be the lineup everyone is hoping for, considering the coldness of Calle Jarnkrok and Pontus Holmberg, not to mention Nick Robertson scoring in Game 5 might have given him another shot but alas, nothing changes.

McMann and Pacioretty seemed to find some chemistry last game, and the former finally got his first points since Round 1, and with Max Domi's three career Game 7 goals; the line looks poised to do damage.

The main focus however is no doubt going to be on the first two lines. The Core Four has been absent in previous Game 7's and they will need to build off their previous momentum and make sure they show up on Sunday night.

Auston Matthews got the monkey off his back and finally scored, Mitch Marner looked his regular season self, and while William Nylander and John Tavares didn't find the scoresheet, they held things down defensively.

That was all backed by a seriously strong rebound game from Joseph Woll. After a frankly embarrassing 6-1 loss in Game 5, he came back with a vengeance, shutting out the Panthers and keeping his clutch reputation intact.

Everybody is going to need to not only repeat the efforts of Game 6, but expand upon them. Maybe Matthews can pot a couple of goals, and perhaps their anemic power play can pick things up when they need it most.

But whatever the result ends up being, you have to commend Toronto's perseverance.

Craig Berube led this team to a place that no one expected them to be at, with an honest shot at knocking off the defending champs.

Who knows what else they're capable of if they manage to get past the Panthers.