I like this forward group you have. We don't have any evidence Hutton is in the mix although there is time for him to get a look. Sandin is certainly making a case to be next man up. Really want Bogo back though...we will need his size in the playoff grind.
Speculation: Our Lineup for Game 1 of the Playoffs?
- Thread starter smitty10
- Start date
SHANNYPLAN
Registered User
- Nov 24, 2016
- 5,224
- 2,609
Foligno - Matthews - Marner
Galch - - Tavares - -Nylander
Hyman - Nash - Simmonds
Thornton - Kerfoot - Spezza
OR
Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Foligno - Tavares - Nylander
Kerfoot - Nash - Mikheyev/Simmonds
Thornton - Spezza - Mikheyev/Simmonds
Galch - - Tavares - -Nylander
Hyman - Nash - Simmonds
Thornton - Kerfoot - Spezza
OR
Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Foligno - Tavares - Nylander
Kerfoot - Nash - Mikheyev/Simmonds
Thornton - Spezza - Mikheyev/Simmonds
One of Gally or Mik is likely gonna sit .. if Gally plays like he did against Jets in 1st game of series he stays in for me .. Mik is fast and brings a different dimension but he did squat all in playoffs last year .. gonna be a hard call .. Jumbo and Wayner are gonna play..
The Iceman
Registered User
- Sep 22, 2007
- 5,079
- 3,714
If healthy I would roll out:
Foligno - Matthews - Marner
Galchenyuk - Tavares - Nylander
Hyman- Kerfoot - Simmonds
Spezza - Nash - Thornton
The stay ready forwards squad: Mikheyev, Engvall, Brooks
Reilly Brodie
Muzz Holl
Sandin Dermott
The stay ready D squad Hutton, BOGO mid round, Lily, and I refuse to write the name of the ZOMBIE who is next up.
In Goal:
Campbell
Freddy
Make a FRIGGIN save Dave
Foligno - Matthews - Marner
Galchenyuk - Tavares - Nylander
Hyman- Kerfoot - Simmonds
Spezza - Nash - Thornton
The stay ready forwards squad: Mikheyev, Engvall, Brooks
Reilly Brodie
Muzz Holl
Sandin Dermott
The stay ready D squad Hutton, BOGO mid round, Lily, and I refuse to write the name of the ZOMBIE who is next up.
In Goal:
Campbell
Freddy
Make a FRIGGIN save Dave
hockeynorth
Registered User
- Aug 31, 2017
- 12,592
- 6,386
Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Galchenyuk-Tavares-Nylander
Mikheyev-Nash-Foligno
Spezza-Kerfoot-Thornton
-----
Simmonds/Brooks/Engvall
Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Bogosian
-----
Dermott/Hutton
Campbell
Freddy
-----
Rittich
Galchenyuk-Tavares-Nylander
Mikheyev-Nash-Foligno
Spezza-Kerfoot-Thornton
-----
Simmonds/Brooks/Engvall
Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Bogosian
-----
Dermott/Hutton
Campbell
Freddy
-----
Rittich
ViewsFromThe6ix
Zachary on the Attackary
Hyman Matthews Marner
Gally/Kerf Tavares Nylander
Mikheyev Foligno Simmonds
Thornton Nash Spezza
one of Gally/Kerf should sit to start. We'll likely need both eventually.
Don't like Kerfoot at 3C - terrible on the draw we can't have our 3rd line (which is heavily defensive zone utilized) having a C who has < 40% faceoff number. Don't like Kerf in a bottom 6 LW role either.
Gally looked good for a while but he's in a battle with Kerfoot for me for that 2 LW role. He's not good enough defensively and his offence isn't making up for it.
Now that I think about it I probably use Kerf as a 2LW / 3C swingman - but when you use him at 3C make sure you've got Foligno on the line for important draws.
Gally/Kerf Tavares Nylander
Mikheyev Foligno Simmonds
Thornton Nash Spezza
one of Gally/Kerf should sit to start. We'll likely need both eventually.
Don't like Kerfoot at 3C - terrible on the draw we can't have our 3rd line (which is heavily defensive zone utilized) having a C who has < 40% faceoff number. Don't like Kerf in a bottom 6 LW role either.
Gally looked good for a while but he's in a battle with Kerfoot for me for that 2 LW role. He's not good enough defensively and his offence isn't making up for it.
Now that I think about it I probably use Kerf as a 2LW / 3C swingman - but when you use him at 3C make sure you've got Foligno on the line for important draws.
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Not My Tempo
Registered User
I know it’s only been two games, but I’m not sure if I like Foligno on the top line. I think he plays a little too “responsible” in the Ozone. There were a couple of times where he could have gotten Matthews and Marner the puck but instead decided to ring the puck around the boards for the far side Dman.
We obviously have a long time to try it out though until Hyman gets back, but right now I think the team would be better with Hyman on the first line and Foligno on the third.
Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Galch - Tavares - Nylander
Foligno - Kerfoot - Mikheyev
Simmonds - Spezza - Thornton.
Maybe unpopular, but I’d also maybe try Nash instead of Mikheyev and go with
Foligno - Nash - Simmonds
Thornton - Kerfoot - Spezza
We obviously have a long time to try it out though until Hyman gets back, but right now I think the team would be better with Hyman on the first line and Foligno on the third.
Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Galch - Tavares - Nylander
Foligno - Kerfoot - Mikheyev
Simmonds - Spezza - Thornton.
Maybe unpopular, but I’d also maybe try Nash instead of Mikheyev and go with
Foligno - Nash - Simmonds
Thornton - Kerfoot - Spezza
TopChedder
Registered User
- Oct 2, 2013
- 2,597
- 2,134
It's not unpopular. Nash would be an upgrade on anything we could put in our bottom 6 for playoffs. I am surprised posters are not slotting him in, he is a monster playoff performer
Magic Man
Registered User
Foligno - Matthews - Marner
Hyman - Tavares - Nylander
Galchenyuk - Kerfoot - Mikheyev
Thornton - Spezza - Simmonds
ex. Engvall - Nash - Brooks
Robertson
Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Holl
Dermott - Bogosian
ex. Sandin - Hutton
Liljegren
Campbell
Andersen
ex. Rittich
Foligno and Hyman are the defensive and physical conscience on the top two lines. Tavares and Nylander get a better third wheel because they can't produce like line #1. It stabilizes the top-6. More of a top-6/bottom-6 split. Kerfoot and Mikheyev are 2/3rds of the 3rd line, I can't decide if Galchenyuk is the best fit next to them. The old timers on line #4. I'm curious to see if Sandin can knock Dermott out of the starting lineup over the next 10 games.
Hyman - Tavares - Nylander
Galchenyuk - Kerfoot - Mikheyev
Thornton - Spezza - Simmonds
ex. Engvall - Nash - Brooks
Robertson
Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Holl
Dermott - Bogosian
ex. Sandin - Hutton
Liljegren
Campbell
Andersen
ex. Rittich
Foligno and Hyman are the defensive and physical conscience on the top two lines. Tavares and Nylander get a better third wheel because they can't produce like line #1. It stabilizes the top-6. More of a top-6/bottom-6 split. Kerfoot and Mikheyev are 2/3rds of the 3rd line, I can't decide if Galchenyuk is the best fit next to them. The old timers on line #4. I'm curious to see if Sandin can knock Dermott out of the starting lineup over the next 10 games.
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Mitch nylander
One of the biggest fans from a bipolar fanbase
- Jun 2, 2016
- 4,489
- 5,866
The way Brooks has been playing I have a difficult time taking him out of the lineup. This is a great problem to have.
Whatever they do:
Kerfoot Faceoff win% 38.7%
Engvall Faceoff win% 42,5%
They should try to address that.
Nash could help on one of the bottom two lines with high ~48-49%
Foligno could help if he played on the 3rd line with a slightly lower % than Nash.
Some of it depends on who they're playing.
For example, if they were playing Edmonton, I would be tempted to see if the Mikheyev-Engvall-Hyman line could recreate the magic they had in Edmonton.
Of course a significant part of the outcome in the playoffs will be decided by the goaltending.
Kerfoot Faceoff win% 38.7%
Engvall Faceoff win% 42,5%
They should try to address that.
Nash could help on one of the bottom two lines with high ~48-49%
Foligno could help if he played on the 3rd line with a slightly lower % than Nash.
Some of it depends on who they're playing.
For example, if they were playing Edmonton, I would be tempted to see if the Mikheyev-Engvall-Hyman line could recreate the magic they had in Edmonton.
Of course a significant part of the outcome in the playoffs will be decided by the goaltending.
The Apologist
Apologizing for Leaf garbage since 1979
Im gonna sound like a broken record but I would really like to see JT and Matthews switched there. Not as in JT ahead of Auston or anything but I like AM and WN together with Hyman and Mitch and JT with Foligno.
Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Foligno-Tavares-Nylander
Mikheyev-Nash-Simmonds
Thornton-Kerfoot-Spezza
Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Bogosian
Campbell
Andersen
(NOTE: Andersen replaces Campbell as soon as Campbell stumbles)
Foligno-Tavares-Nylander
Mikheyev-Nash-Simmonds
Thornton-Kerfoot-Spezza
Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Bogosian
Campbell
Andersen
(NOTE: Andersen replaces Campbell as soon as Campbell stumbles)
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Jimmy Firecracker
Fire Sheldon.
Was thinking about this today as the SDP was discussing whether Nash would be in the lineup or not game one of the playoffs when fully healthy. I assumed yes in my head but then I started mapping out a fully healthy Leafs forward lineup and there actually isn't much space for him.
But enough justifying my LW position. Who would Nash bump out of the lineup here? I mean maybe you take Galchenyuk out of the lineup who's been struggling of late, make Hyman and Foligno your top two LWs and then mix and match the bottom 6 how you see fit. Maybe Simmonds moves up and Nash plays with Thornton and Spezza, or Kerfoot moves to the wing and Nash centres him and Mikheyev.
Do we even need Nash in the lineup game one of round one? If Simmonds and Thornton's play recently against Winnipeg in a playoff atmosphere was a taste of what they'll bring in the actual postseason why mess with that? Everyone in the Top 9 has played very well and hasn't earned a demotion. Do any of Montreal, Calgary, or Vancouver possess the offensive weapons and offensive depth that would justify prioritizing inserting a defensive specialist into the lineup over guys who have been here and have a good relationship and chemistry with their teammates?
Too much good depth is a good problem to have, but a conundrum nonetheless. I mean jeez Engvall is basically Gauthier 2.0 and instead of him playing all 7 games in a series (like Gauthier did in 2019) he's #15 on the depth chart, maybe lower depending on how the organization feels about guys like Robertson, Noesen, Suomela, etc.
Regardless, the above is what I expect the opening forward lineup to be Game 1 of the playoffs if (God willing) everyone is healthy. I do hope Galchenyuk picks it up though. He's been underwhelming defensively recently, though the offensive prowess is still there even if he hasn't been converting in the way of points.
The defence is much easier to work out. Game one of round one if the health of everyone back there holds will look like:
The goaltending situation is an interesting one but I think we all have a grasp on who will start Game 1.
Fully Healthy Leafs Forward Lineup/Depth Chart
Foligno-Matthews-Marner
Galchenyuk-Tavares-Nylander
Hyman-Kerfoot-Mikheyev
Thornton-Spezza-Simmonds
Extras
Nash
Brooks
Engvall
The Left Wing position on the first three lines can be played with a bit depending on ones preference. I like Hyman with Kerfoot and Mikheyev because that's basically what the HEM/ZIP line was in terms of speed and tenacity, but you exchange Engvall's size for Kerfoot's skill and he's a bit more of an agitator. I think you can play Hyman or Foligno on lines 1, 2, or 3 and not miss a beat on any of them. Galchenyuk I feel would only be effective on lines 1 or 2, don't envision him as a third liner.Foligno-Matthews-Marner
Galchenyuk-Tavares-Nylander
Hyman-Kerfoot-Mikheyev
Thornton-Spezza-Simmonds
Extras
Nash
Brooks
Engvall
But enough justifying my LW position. Who would Nash bump out of the lineup here? I mean maybe you take Galchenyuk out of the lineup who's been struggling of late, make Hyman and Foligno your top two LWs and then mix and match the bottom 6 how you see fit. Maybe Simmonds moves up and Nash plays with Thornton and Spezza, or Kerfoot moves to the wing and Nash centres him and Mikheyev.
Do we even need Nash in the lineup game one of round one? If Simmonds and Thornton's play recently against Winnipeg in a playoff atmosphere was a taste of what they'll bring in the actual postseason why mess with that? Everyone in the Top 9 has played very well and hasn't earned a demotion. Do any of Montreal, Calgary, or Vancouver possess the offensive weapons and offensive depth that would justify prioritizing inserting a defensive specialist into the lineup over guys who have been here and have a good relationship and chemistry with their teammates?
Too much good depth is a good problem to have, but a conundrum nonetheless. I mean jeez Engvall is basically Gauthier 2.0 and instead of him playing all 7 games in a series (like Gauthier did in 2019) he's #15 on the depth chart, maybe lower depending on how the organization feels about guys like Robertson, Noesen, Suomela, etc.
Regardless, the above is what I expect the opening forward lineup to be Game 1 of the playoffs if (God willing) everyone is healthy. I do hope Galchenyuk picks it up though. He's been underwhelming defensively recently, though the offensive prowess is still there even if he hasn't been converting in the way of points.
The defence is much easier to work out. Game one of round one if the health of everyone back there holds will look like:
Leafs Defensive Lineup Game 1 round 1
Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Dermott
Extras
Hutton
Liljegren
Marincin
IR
Bogosian
The top four has been good all season. Yes even Holl who has been taking criticism lately has still been solid more often than he's been a liability. He and Muzzin have been having uncharacteristic gaffes lately and I wish the coaching staff would load manage them better but alas the cap situation makes it difficult. Hopefully a relatively light schedule to end the season (8 games in 17 nights with another 3 day break after this one in the middle of that) will allow our guys to regain energy. Sandin has looked great in his short stint here and the only real question is which one of him, Dermott, or Bogosian sits when Bogo gets healthy (which should be early in the first round).Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Dermott
Extras
Hutton
Liljegren
Marincin
IR
Bogosian
The goaltending situation is an interesting one but I think we all have a grasp on who will start Game 1.
Leafs Goaltending Game 1 Round 1
Campbell
Andersen
Extras
Rittich
Hutchinson
I think Campbell has earned the privilege of starting the playoffs for the Leafs. Say what you will about Andersen's longevity and pedigree, he has not been healthy or played enough this season to justify starting him relatively cold in the playoffs when the games really matter. Barring him starting 6 out of our 8 remaining games and being a brick wall in all of them it's Campbell's net to lose. Or Campbell could shit the bed in the waning days I suppose but no one should expect that. I do hope Andersen does get games in and is operating at near max capacity. Better to have two healthy goalies than one. There's a lot of baggage with Andersen and the playoffs to be sure, and Campbell is inexperienced, so really the team just needs to ride whichever hand is hot and right now that's Jack.Campbell
Andersen
Extras
Rittich
Hutchinson
According to several of my sources, the plan for game one of the playoffs, assuming everyone is healthy is:
Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Foligno - Tavares - Nylander
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Simmonds
Spezza - Nash - Thornton
Brooks and Galchenyuk will be rotated in accordingly. Possibly Engvall as well.
The defence still isn't set. They are closely watching Sandin's consistency and he has a big chance of sending Dermott to the press box once Bogosian is healthy. Hutton will also get games down the stretch.
Freddy the starter and Campbell backing him up, unless Campbell plays lights out.
Remember, this isn't the lineup I'd necessarily want, but it's the lineup Keefe will likely play according to sources. Keep in mind this can change at any given moment depending on who's hot.
The biggest surprise to me is Freddy. They are going to give him games in the regular season and if he does well, he gets game one. Personally, I disagree with this decision. It's Campbell's net for me.
Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Foligno - Tavares - Nylander
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Simmonds
Spezza - Nash - Thornton
Brooks and Galchenyuk will be rotated in accordingly. Possibly Engvall as well.
The defence still isn't set. They are closely watching Sandin's consistency and he has a big chance of sending Dermott to the press box once Bogosian is healthy. Hutton will also get games down the stretch.
Freddy the starter and Campbell backing him up, unless Campbell plays lights out.
Remember, this isn't the lineup I'd necessarily want, but it's the lineup Keefe will likely play according to sources. Keep in mind this can change at any given moment depending on who's hot.
The biggest surprise to me is Freddy. They are going to give him games in the regular season and if he does well, he gets game one. Personally, I disagree with this decision. It's Campbell's net for me.
BlueForever75
Registered User
- Oct 4, 2017
- 5,691
- 2,303
Foligno-Matthews-Marner
Gally-Tavares-Nylander
Hyman-Kerfoot-Soup
Spezza-Nash-Simmonds
Thornton-Engvall-Robertson
Reilly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Dermott-Bogo
Sandin-Hutton
Campbell
Andersen
Rittich
Hutch
Gally-Tavares-Nylander
Hyman-Kerfoot-Soup
Spezza-Nash-Simmonds
Thornton-Engvall-Robertson
Reilly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Dermott-Bogo
Sandin-Hutton
Campbell
Andersen
Rittich
Hutch
ShaneFalco
Registered User
SeenSchenn2
Itchin' For Mitch
I don't see them sitting Galchenyuk TBH.
1. That line with Tavares and Nylander seems to work really well; generating a ton of chances.
2. Assuming we play MTL, when they have leads IMO we need to dress more dynamic puck carriers. Last game they stifled us with that NZ trap pretty good.
Guy Boucher
Registered User
- Oct 22, 2008
- 4,625
- 1,013
I think this is the most likely scenario at the moment for G1:
Foligno-Matthews-Marner
Galchenyuk-Tavares-Nylander
Hyman-Kerfoot-Mikheyev
Thornton-Spezza-Simmonds
Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Dermott
However a few caveats:
1 - They want to use Nash. They traded for him for a reason. But throwing him into G1 of the playoffs after never playing with this team might be a bit tough for him, especially using him in a hard matchup situation. I think ideally they want the Leafs to be up in the series by a game or two before working Nash in imo.
2- Galchenyuk's game has been sliding a bit, especially defensively. I could see a scenario where Galchenyuk is scratched for Nash, with Kerfoot taking his spot on the Tavares line.
3- Keefe has been very clear about wanting a matchup line which will almost definitely feature Hyman & Mikheyev (with either Kerfoot/Nash/Engvall in the middle). They will move Hyman to the top line if they are chasing the game and needing a goal.
4- Bogosian is back in whenever he's healthy. Who sits out? Probably Sandin as Dermott is a bit better defensively (it's close but Dermott wins more board battles). But if Sandin establishes himself on a struggling PP, I could see him winning out.
Foligno-Matthews-Marner
Galchenyuk-Tavares-Nylander
Hyman-Kerfoot-Mikheyev
Thornton-Spezza-Simmonds
Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Dermott
However a few caveats:
1 - They want to use Nash. They traded for him for a reason. But throwing him into G1 of the playoffs after never playing with this team might be a bit tough for him, especially using him in a hard matchup situation. I think ideally they want the Leafs to be up in the series by a game or two before working Nash in imo.
2- Galchenyuk's game has been sliding a bit, especially defensively. I could see a scenario where Galchenyuk is scratched for Nash, with Kerfoot taking his spot on the Tavares line.
3- Keefe has been very clear about wanting a matchup line which will almost definitely feature Hyman & Mikheyev (with either Kerfoot/Nash/Engvall in the middle). They will move Hyman to the top line if they are chasing the game and needing a goal.
4- Bogosian is back in whenever he's healthy. Who sits out? Probably Sandin as Dermott is a bit better defensively (it's close but Dermott wins more board battles). But if Sandin establishes himself on a struggling PP, I could see him winning out.
zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
- 66,937
- 36,957
The game prior to Foligno making his debut, the lineup was healthy, other than Nash.
The lineup that day was:
Galchenyuk-Matthews-Marner
Robertson-Tavares-Nylander
Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Hyman
Thornton-Spezza-Simmonds
Notes:
1. With Foligno due back the next game, that sure looked like Robertson was a placeholder for him.
2. It was Brooks and Engvall out of the lineup, not any of Thornton/Spezza/Simmonds.
3. It was Simmonds that was booted out of the top 9, not galchenyuk.
4. That 4th line actually had a legit good game that night.
5. The Matthews line was pretty poor, which is maybe why Foligno debuted on the top line the next game instead of on the second line in Robertson's spot.
6. Those Hyman/Foligno/Galchenyuk slots seem pretty interchangeable, but I would guess all 3 would stay in the top 9....and I think Keefe would lean towards hoping that Galy continues to perform on a scoring line, freeing up one of Hyman or Foligno to really bolster that 3rd line and turn it into an impact checking line.
7. I don't know if that 4th line would continue to be good, but I do think Keefe will try them to start, with Nash banging on the door to replace one of them if need be.
The lineup that day was:
Galchenyuk-Matthews-Marner
Robertson-Tavares-Nylander
Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Hyman
Thornton-Spezza-Simmonds
Notes:
1. With Foligno due back the next game, that sure looked like Robertson was a placeholder for him.
2. It was Brooks and Engvall out of the lineup, not any of Thornton/Spezza/Simmonds.
3. It was Simmonds that was booted out of the top 9, not galchenyuk.
4. That 4th line actually had a legit good game that night.
5. The Matthews line was pretty poor, which is maybe why Foligno debuted on the top line the next game instead of on the second line in Robertson's spot.
6. Those Hyman/Foligno/Galchenyuk slots seem pretty interchangeable, but I would guess all 3 would stay in the top 9....and I think Keefe would lean towards hoping that Galy continues to perform on a scoring line, freeing up one of Hyman or Foligno to really bolster that 3rd line and turn it into an impact checking line.
7. I don't know if that 4th line would continue to be good, but I do think Keefe will try them to start, with Nash banging on the door to replace one of them if need be.
