Maple Leafs update their forward lines with a new option next to Auston Matthews
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have adapted their top-six, moving the streaking Nick Robertson to the Leafs top line.
In the Toronto Maple Leafs practice ahead of the team's game tonight against the Boston Bruins, Toronto has a new look to their forward group.
Toronto have moved up Nick Robertson up onto the top line alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.
William Nylander, who played Sunday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes on the top line, was moved down to the second line alongside John Tavares, with Bobby McMann on the left wing, according to Jonas Siegel of 'The Athletic'.
Toronto has kept their bottom-six from Sunday's game, as well as keeping intact their defensive lines from the game against Carolina.
Anthony Stolarz gets the start against Boston. Stolarz started Saturday's game against the Bruins before being pulled after giving up four goals on 19 shots.
How the Maple Leafs adjusted their top-line combination
The Toronto Maple Leafs have focused on evaluating what works on their top-six, and seeing if separating Nylander and Matthews works better than the two together on the same line.
William Nylander being one of the NHL's top performing forwards with eight goals and 23 points, they've put Nylander away from Matthews not to send any message, but to bring balance on offense.
Nylander has more experience playing alongside John Tavares on the second line, and gives the Leafs a return to normal with their forward pairings.
As well, Knies and Matthews have had chemistry playing together over the past few seasons, and want to try a new player in Nick Robertson to assess how the trio functions together.
Robertson also provides a mobile offensive game and a strong pace in recent games, with the staff reviewing how that fits alongside Matthews on his wing.
Toronto is also giving the opportunity to not stick to just the same lines, they're testing out what works early in the season, and evaluating what works best in the Leafs top-six.
Why the coaching staff made this change for the Matthews line
Nylander was put onto the top line with Matthews, with the lines being adjusted again by head coach Craig Berube after Sunday's game.
Together on the top line Sunday, Nylander scored twice against Carolina and Matthews had a goal and assist, but was decided by Berube to move Nylander back to the second line.
Nylander has in prior seasons played on the second line with John Tavares, and reunites the two as a return to that familiar alignment.
The move also gives Nick Robertson, who has four goals and nine points in 15 games, a look on the top line following strong performances in recent games.
The move also provides balance to the two top-six lines, and returns the Leafs to a more balanced lineup, and focusing more on the lines that have chemistry as a trio.
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