Maple Leafs Facing Game-Time Decisions Ahead of Crucial Game 5 vs. Panthers

With Game 5 taking place on Wednesday night from Scotiabank Arena, the Maple Leafs and Panthers are set to square off in another heated affair with all eyes on just how violent things might get.

There's some concerns not only about the goaltending for Toronto, but the lineup has some issues as well that need addressing.

Craig Berube has decided to stick with what's worked, and while it's gotten him this far; it's not perfect.

Guys like Nicholas Robertson and David Kampf could find themselves back in the lineup meanwhile guys like Bobby McMann could certainly use a day off.

So with that being said, did Craig Berube change his lineup ahead of a crucial Game 5?

Shockingly, we aren't going to know until game-time, a stunning change for Berube.

To see Berube keep his cards close to his chest, and being open to switching things up should give fans a sigh of relief that his stubbornness isn't going to be as detrimental as first thought.

It also seems like David Kampf might be the one who slides into the lineup, though there's a possibility a player like Nick Robertson or even Ryan Reaves heads into the fray.

Anthony Stolarz still remains out, however his emergence at practice on Tuesday was a very positive sign.

The only absence at Tuesday's optional practice was Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and while it was just a brief illness, it seems everyone else decided to show up ahead of Wednesday's clash; minus Bobby McMann and Kampf, another indicator he might be taking his place.

While it looks like Berube might stick to his guns, him leaving a change open is certainly intriguing, but it's the usual suspects that need to start producing.

First and foremost, Auston Matthews will be under the microscope the most given his lack of scoring with his two goal output desperately needing improvement.

Fans are getting frustrated, and it doesn't do his reputation for being unable to pull through when it matters any favors.

However, it's also the third and fourth line that really needs to pick things up, and guys like McMann and Calle Jarnkrok desperately need a wake up call.

Over the last five seasons however, Toronto isn't the best in Game 5 situations.

They are 2-4-0 with their most recent loss in that situation being a 4-0 loss to the Senators.

Another thing the team needs to work on is their discipline, something that helped them so far throughout the series, but took a steep drop in Game 4.

They took four penalties in the first period alone, and ended up taking eight total; they had 10 through the first three games, so something clearly their frustrations are taking hold.

They rank second this postseason with 45 penalties, and while they've drawn more than they've taken, what they've taken has hurt them.

Not changing anything especially after a dismal showing on Sunday night could have led Berube to a lot of backlash, and his recent comments led some to believe he would, so it's good to see he's true to his word.

Craig Berube's lineup needs to keep a tighter handle on things if they want to skate away from home with a victory, and while the changes he made might come back to haunt him; there's only so much he can do and try something new.