To sit or not to sit??

[Egghead1999]

Leafs have nothing to play for after Leafs clinch the playoff spot; is it wise to start sitting some core players (Rielly, Hainsey, Andersen, Marleau ...)?

SCHEDULE:

Mon, Mar 26, vs Buffalo

Wed, Mar 28, vs Florida

Fri, Mar 30, @ NY Islanders

Sat, Mar 31, vs Winnipeg

Mon, Apr 2, vs Buffalo

Thu, Apr 5, @ New Jersey

Sat, Apr 7, vs Montreal

Click to read more...

 

[RhinoD]

If we win tonight, its all but mathematically assured we are in... Under that assumption.

I would say that you probably let Freddy start March 28, 30 and April 5... Let Mac start the other three.

If it were me I would definitely rest the experienced D-men as much as possible (Gardiner, Hainsey, Polak). Forwards, I don't think it matters as much since outside the top line ice time isn't usually a big issue. I would maybe work a night or two off for Marleau, Kadri, JVR, Bozak... Some of the older guys that tend to play tough minutes.

 

[klamla]

i hate sitting. i can't stand it

 

[MR4]

That is the question.

 

[frog]

sitting is just gonna do more damage they already get a 4-5 day rest after regular season. More than that the player is gonna get rusty, timing off, etc.

 

[TMLeafs17]

No. Maybe one extra game for Andy besides the back to back he will miss, that’s all.

 

[Buds17]

I'd only sit if there are any Marlies they'd like to observe with the big club that they wouldn't be able to work into the lineup otherwise.

 

[TorMapleJays]

sitting is just gonna do more damage they already get a 4-5 day rest after regular season. More than that the player is gonna get rusty, timing off, etc.

Usually they jump right into it.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Put them all in bubble wrap and call it a day.

 

[MattySnipes]

I can see them resting Hainsey & Fred for a game or two.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Sit everyone.

A big advantage for us that we aren't using.

Fatigue = injuries and losses.

 

[nuck]

I think they need to give Sparks or Pickard a look so even though McBackup is actually McShutout this is maybe the right time. Agree about Hainsey and Pollock. They are the only two I might genuinely rest. The Leafs give their forwards so few minutes none of them should be tired. Matthews isn't at his A game again yet, but he needs to play to get there so assuming he is 100% healthy they need to run him heavy until he hits his level again. It might be a good time to play the crap out of some guys like Brown and Plekanec to get them producing like they can. Or even ... Leivo? Connor Brown got 7 games his first taste so it might also be time to send AJ back down and give Aaltonen and Timashov a look. Justin Holl?

 

[Egghead1999]

Usually they jump right into it.

Boston's last game is on Sunday, and TB's last game is on Saturday. The playoff may start on Tuesday.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Sitting players is gutless if you healthy you play

 

[ShaneFalco]

They had a nice break there. I think the only I'd think about sitting right now is Andersen

 

[ACC1224]

They should be pretty rested, haven't played a lot of games lately.

 

[tom leafers]

Boston's last game is on Sunday, and TB's last game is on Saturday. The playoff may start on Tuesday.

The playoffs start the 11th. My guess is if we play Boston/Tampa we will start on the 12th (thursday).

 

[Daisy Jane]

Sit everyone.

A big advantage for us that we aren't using.

Fatigue = injuries and losses.

can you name me other NHL teams that have clinched that are resting their players?

 

[liljegren beast]

I'd definatley sit Martin

 

[Babcocks Marner]

Only if someone is dealing with a nagging injury or isn't near 100%
Besides that, pretty weak move.

 

[Tall Morty]

I prefer Andy when he gets into a groove. He doesn't seem to respond well to time off. See: Octobers, recent return from injury.

 

[ACC1224]

can you name me other NHL teams that have clinched that are resting their players?

You can guarantee there are no players that would like to sit if healthy.

 

[Daisy Jane]

You can guarantee there are no players that would like to sit if healthy.

well that's the thing.
like. they want to play
you want them in a groove, and hammer out a lot of the inconsistent play.

not "rest"

 

[ponder]

Don’t want guys getting rusty. For the players with above average injuries/soreness, sit them the last game or two, but not more than that.

We want guys totally locked in from the first puck drop in game 1, we can’t afford any “getting back into the groove” time against either the Bruins or Lightning.

 

[Menzinger]

Would defintely have McBackup playing a fair amount of these games.

None of these are particularly high stakes and against bottom feeders. Keep Andersen as rested up as possible