Maple Leafs tweak the power-play while keeping the lineup intact
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs made a slight adjustment to their power-play ahead of their clash with the Avalanche but feel the lineup is as strong as it can be.
Coming into a late game on Monday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have their hands full when it comes to who they face as they take on the league-leading Colorado Avalanche; a team who hasn't lost in regulation at home this season.
It's not going to be easy but the Maple Leafs are coming in with a hot streak of their own, winning seven of nine and feeling like a team who has finally figured it all out.
Their special teams are rocking, the stars are shining again and the role players picking things up at the perfect time.
Toronto keeps lineup intact after 5-0 domination of Canucks
But they'll need as much firepower as possible going up against the Avalanche, so let's see how the team lines up on Monday night:
Knies - Matthews - Domi
Maccelli - Tavares - Nylander
Cowan - Roy - Robertson
Lorentz - Laughton - McMann
Maccelli - Tavares - Nylander
Cowan - Roy - Robertson
Lorentz - Laughton - McMann
Rielly - Carlo
McCabe - OEL
Benoit - Stecher
McCabe - OEL
Benoit - Stecher
Woll
Hildeby
Hildeby
It's the same lineup that came away with a 5-0 win against Vancouver on Saturday night, and they'll look to do the same amount of damage on Monday however there is a little bit of a twist.
John Tavares earns power-play time once again
It seems like Craig Berube is trusting John Tavares on the power-play once again as the veteran has found his way back onto the second unit, replacing Nicolas Roy:
The former captain was bumped off the second unit after Roy was given a chance to elevate the offense due to his hot hand as of late.
Tavares has been rock solid as per usual this year even if he cooled off from the beginning of the season. He has 40 points in 44 games including five on the power-play; it's not as wild as last year but the PP units just started clicking over the last month.
Joseph Woll gets the call in net as he looks to build off his 5-0 shutout win and looks to build of his 8-1-1 record over his last 10 games. He has a 10-4-2 record with a 2.52 GAA and .919 SV% so far this season.
Toronto is going to need to capitalize on any power-plays they get against Colorado and ensure their elite PK unit can withstand the onslaught of Nathan MacKinnon and company.
It's easier said than done, but if any team can prove they can handle adversity lately it's been the Maple Leafs.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 12|567 ANSWERS Maple Leafs tweak the power-play while keeping the lineup intact Who do you think will come away with the victory on Monday night? | ||
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 490 | 86.4 % |
| Colorado Avalanche | 77 | 13.6 % |
| List of polls | ||