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Berube isn’t changing Leafs’ lineup for Game 5, Kampf among other players waiting in the wings

Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2025, 12:30 EDTUpdated: Apr 29, 2025, 12:25 EDT
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube will not be making any changes to his lineup as the team prepares to close out their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.
After Game 4, Berube stood by his team, saying they played extremely well despite the overtime loss. With that in mind, Berube confirmed he’s sticking with his group as is, with David Kampf among others vying for a spot in the lineup.
“It’s always talked about, like all our extra guys,” Berube said after an optional morning skate Tuesday. “I like our game, so I don’t see a reason to change it right now.”
Kämpf recorded five goals and 13 points in 59 games played with the Leafs this season. After suffering a late-season injury, his roster spot was filled by Scott Laughton, and Berube has stuck with it since. Speaking about Kämpf, Toronto’s head coach acknowledged it’s hard not to play, but that he understands it’s bigger than him.
“He’s fine. It’s hard for him, for sure,” Berube said. “He got injured at the end of the year and that’s the situation: the team was playing well, and I didn’t want to change the lineup. It’s not a knock against him at all, it’s just the way things are looking and going. That’s why I’ve stuck with what I’ve stuck with. He’s an important part of the team for sure, and he has been all year. It’s hard for those guys not to play, I get it, but they’ve been very good team-first guys.”
With the last three games going to overtime, it’s clear the margins between these two groups are pretty thin at this point. A lineup change could shake things up in a good way, but could also mess up the parts of Toronto’s game that have been working. And with a 3-1 series lead, you have to consider that things have been working pretty well so far.
Berube said his team is anticipating the moment, with an opportunity to eliminate the Senators.
“We’re ready to go, guys feel good and they’re anxious to play,” Berube said. “We’re gonna need a good start tonight, gonna need to be aggressive.”
Toronto has fared well at home so far this series and will look to continue that trend, as it chases its second conference semifinals appearance in three years.
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