LGD: We’re Halfway There
By Jon Steitzer
5 years ago Okay, so maybe we’re only half way there for this series, but one time ACC banner haver Jon Bon Jovi never wrote any songs about being being 1/8th there. If he did I’m sure it would be a banger.
Anyways, there’s more Bruins and Leafs tonight and damned if the series hasn’t run the gambit of being entertaining, tense, rage inducing, but also peppered with joy and hope. Tonight the Leafs have the chance to really push for more of that joy and hope with a win that would give them a truly dominate position in the series.
So how do the Leafs get there? I guess we can start with the keep on keepin’ on approach. What they are doing has worked 2/3rds of the time, every time. And as long as Mitch Marner keeps on blocking shots with his face and the Bruins aren’t interested in adapting, the Leafs should be successful.
Lineups
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 ZACH HYMAN Rating: 74.6#39 LW |  JOHN TAVARES Rating: 82.5#7 C |  MITCH MARNER Rating: 79.2#11 RW | FL1 Rating Rating: 78.77#13 FL1 |
 ANDREAS JOHNSSON Rating: 73.9#49 LW |  AUSTON MATTHEWS Rating: 82.1#9 C |  KASPERI KAPANEN Rating: 72.9#58 RW | FL2 Rating Rating: 76.30#7 FL2 |
 PATRICK MARLEAU Rating: 72.5#71 LW |  WILLIAM NYLANDER Rating: 75.7#47 C |  CONNOR BROWN Rating: 69.8#117 RW | FL3 Rating Rating: 72.68#15 FL3 |
 TREVOR MOORE Rating: 72.3#79 LW |  FREDERIK GAUTHIER Rating: 68.8#189 C |  TYLER ENNIS Rating: 71.9#74 RW | FL4 Rating Rating: 71.01#14 FL4 |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 JAKE MUZZIN Rating: 76.3#19 LD |  NIKITA ZAITSEV Rating: 71.0#85 RD | DL1 Rating Rating: 73.66#20 DL1 |
 MORGAN RIELLY Rating: 78.8#6 LD |  RON HAINSEY Rating: 72.9#56 RD | DL2 Rating Rating: 75.83#9 DL2 |
 JAKE GARDINER Rating: 76.7#16 LD |  TRAVIS DERMOTT Rating: 73.9#41 RD | DL3 Rating Rating: 75.30#1 DL3 |
Yeah, no surprises here. I have the same concerns about the third line as the rest of you, but we can at least move on from the second line not performing, and Nylander centering the third line instead of moving up now seems justified. I’ve got plenty of time for any mention of swapping out Marleau though, because there really isn’t any reason for him being on the 3rd line. Ideally, I’d keep him on the fourth line and keep him fresh for running spirits in overtime a la Petr Klima in 1990.
I also want to make arguments for opportunities to see more of Moore, because I’m only human and I have fallen in love with Trevor Moore.
Looks like Marcus Johansson is back and David Backes is out. It’s a shame because David Backes is truly terrible, but his departure means that there isn’t a player on the third line who’s only job is to injure Leafs, so it’s a mixed bag.
Goaltenders
Same story as its been all series. Andersen and Rask have both been outstanding and in Andersen’s case you can safely say he’s been the biggest difference maker for the Leafs (with all due respect to Nikita Zaitsev).
Start time is still in the viewer friendly 7pm ET range and the Leafs will be preempting Just for Laughs Gags on CBC.
Recent articles from Jon Steitzer
