The Toronto Maple Leafs have 11 games remaining in the regular season, and their bottom six will slowly be structured in the lead-up to the playoffs. Throughout the season, the Leafs’ bottom-six forward group hasn’t been great. Specifically, the third line has been the least effective of the four forward lines. However, following the trade deadline, Toronto has a notable amount of forward depth in terms of the number of bodies.
Toronto’s Bottom Six Flexibility
Head coach Craig Berube has had a scratch rotation where it seems a new player is looking outside the lineup every game. That’s because every player seems to have a role or some spot on the bottom-six unit. In the last five games, Toronto’s scratches have been Pontus Holmberg, Calle Jarnkrok, and David Kampf. Further beyond that, Nicholas Robertson has sat in the press box for a few games this season.
This shows that the coach trusts his players in the lower half of his lineup to utilize each of them in different ways. It’s important to have a consistent lineup, especially leading up to the playoffs. However, having these players on the fringe every night can be a strength. It shows that there is some flexibility in the bottom six, and that’s an advantage in the postseason.
Those groups of players hold different individual strengths. Robertson has the ability to shoot and brings the most offense out of the ‘Black Aces.’ Holmberg, Jarnkrok and Kampf all provide a two-way presence. Kampf and Jarnkrok are two of the most defensively responsible forwards on the team and are great penalty killers. Holmberg can also be impactful and bring a surprise element to the roster. He is 12th in the NHL for most penalties drawn and has a tendency to take the puck to the net when he gets the opportunity.
Behind the talk of these players, Max Pacioretty is sometimes forgotten, considering his seven-week absence. However, when he was healthy earlier in the season, he was a physical presence to be reckoned with. He averages almost three hits per game from the 37 regular-season contests that he featured in so far.
What Could The Lines Look Like In The Playoffs?
Line matchups are everything in the playoffs. Each coach is trying to get the upper hand by matching their shutdown line with the opposition’s top scoring line. Sometimes, the top two lines cancel each other out in the playoffs, leaving it up to the bottom six to put their print on the game and series. As mentioned, Toronto’s third line has been stagnant for the majority of this season. It’s been a lost line out of the four. That’s why the combinations are crucial, to find the right spark and chemistry to get the most out of them.
For Game 1 of the playoffs, Toronto’s bottom six could look like this:
Laughton – Domi – Jarnkrok
Lorentz – Kampf – Holmberg
Two players who will most likely be in the lineup for every playoff game as long as their healthy are Scott Laughton and Max Domi. The two of them haven’t been firing on all cylinders by any means. However, out of this six-player group, they have the best upside. Furthermore, if Pacioretty returns and is up to speed for the playoffs, he’d likely fit in on the third line.
Robertson is the odd man out here. While he brings energy and hard forechecking to the table, his offensive production isn’t enough to make up for his small size. However, in the playoffs, injuries are almost a sure thing, and Robertson will be the next man up and will come ready to compete.
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The post Toronto Maple Leafs Bottom Six Flexibility Could Be A Strength In Playoffs appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.