GAME SEVEN! Same lineup. Knies is IN. Get stoked.

Everyone better be doing all their weird little rituals today.

Go Leafs Go! !Toronto Maple Leafs

>For the sixth time in the eight seasons, the Maple Leafs will play a Game 7. And this time, they’re hoping for a different result to keep their season alive and possibly change the narrative around this core once and for all.

>The Leafs have a 0-5 record in Game 7s since 2018, with three losses against the Boston Bruins and one loss each against the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning. They also lost a deciding Game 5 to Columbus in 2020.\ . . .\ >Will history be the great teacher here? Or will Game 7 start a new, yet-to-be-written chapter for the Maple Leafs? source

Projected Lineup:

Knies — Matthews — Marner\ Holmberg — Tavares — Nylander\ McMann — Domi — Pacioretty\ Lorentz — Laughton — Järnkrok

McCabe — Tanev\ Rielly — Carlo\ Benoit — Ekman-Larsson

Woll\ Murray

!Toronto Maple Leafs!

i was clearly the glue holding it all together. Guess what? I'M BACK!!

GLG!!!! LFG!!!!!!!!! !Toronto Maple Leafs

>The Maple Leafs head coach will dress forwards Calle Jarnkrok and Pontus Holmberg for Game 6 of their second-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers with Toronto facing elimination down 3-2 on Friday.

>Jarnkrok and Holmberg took a seat in Game 5 for Nick Robertson and David Kampf in the Leafs' disastrous 6-1 loss Wednesday that pushed them to the brink of elimination.

>Berube will also keep star forwards Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner together on Toronto's top line despite the duo's offensive struggles against tight-checking Florida. Matthews has yet to score in the series, while Marner bagged the winner in Game 2 as the Leafs built a 2-0 lead that has since evaporated with three straight losses. source

Projected lineup:

Matthew Knies -- Auston Matthews -- Mitch Marner\ Pontus Holmberg -- John Tavares -- William Nylander\ Bobby McMann -- Max Domi -- Max Pacioretty\ Steven Lorentz -- Scott Laughton -- Calle Jarnkrok

Morgan Rielly -- Brandon Carlo\ Jake McCabe -- Chris Tanev\ Simon Benoit -- Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Joseph Woll\ Matt Murray

Scratched: Dakota Mermis, Philippe Myers, Nicholas Robertson, Dennis Hildeby, David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, Artur Akhtyamov

Injured: Jani Hakanpaa (lower body), Anthony Stolarz (undisclosed)

I'm out in the field so just a bare bones thread today. Sorry!

Feel free to post news and lineup info!

Go Leafs Go!

GAME 4! GLG! LFG!!! !Toronto Maple Leafs

>After getting off to another sluggish start in Game 3, Florida scored two quick goals in the second period to tie the game three apiece, before taking the lead on a very soft goal. The Maple Leafs were resilient to battle back and tie it in the third, and although both teams had chances in the overtime period, the Panthers won the game on a strange bounce (one of many in the game) during a long, tired shift for the Leafs‘ second line. The Maple Leafs still lead 2-1 in the series, but after losing a winnable Game 3, the importance of Game 4 and earning the split in Sunrise ratchets up source

Projected Lineup:

Knies — Matthews — Marner\ Pacioretty — Tavares — Nylander\ McMann — Domi — Holmberg\ Lorentz — Laughton — Järnkrok

McCabe — Tanev\ Rielly — Carlo\ Benoit — Ekman-Larsson

Woll\ Murray

!

GAME 3 LFG!!!! !Toronto Maple Leafs

> As the Florida Panthers gear up for a pivotal Game 3, it's unclear who will be able to suit up.

>The team's lineup for Friday's second-round contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs includes some game-time decisions, head coach Paul Maurice told reporters on Friday.

>It is unclear who may or may not be available. . . .

> Per morning skate rushes, the Maple Leafs appear set to roll out the exact same lineup as Game 2 with Joseph Woll starting in net. source

Projected Lineup:

Matthew Knies — Auston Matthews — Mitch Marner\ Max Pacioretty — John Tavares — William Nylander\ Bobby McMann — Max Domi — Pontus Holmberg\ Steven Lorentz — Scott Laughton — Calle Jarnkrok

Morgan Rielly — Brandon Carlo\ Jake McCabe — Chris Tanev\ Simon Benoit — Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Joseph Woll\ Matt Murray

Scratched: David Kampf, Dakota Mermis, Philippe Myers, Ryan Reaves, Nicholas Robertson, Artur Akhtyamov, Dennis Hildeby

Injured: Jani Hakanpaa (lower body), Anthony Stolarz (undisclosed)

Status report: Stolarz, a goalie, did not travel with the Maple Leafs and won’t play.

Good game. Solid win. If you missed it, what's your deal?

Anyway, get caught up here!

GAME TWO LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOO !Toronto Maple Leafs

>For the first time since 2002, the Toronto Maple Leafs hold a lead in a second-round series.

>We have to go back a year earlier (2001) to find the last time they won the first game of a second-round playoff series. Step one for not repeating what happened two years ago against the Florida Panthers was “don’t fall into a big hole again,” starting with winning Game 1. The Leafs put together their best five-on-five performance against the Panthers at any point this season, scoring five times at full strength and showing good perseverance to stem the tide of a possible Panthers comeback a couple times en route to a 5-4 win. source

Projected Lineup:

Matthew Knies — Auston Matthews — Mitch Marner\ Max Pacioretty — John Tavares — William Nylander\ Bobby McMann — Max Domi — Pontus Holmberg\ Steven Lorentz — Scott Laughton — Calle Jarnkrok

Morgan Rielly — Brandon Carlo\ Jake McCabe — Chris Tanev\ Simon Benoit — Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Joseph Woll\ Matt Murray

Scratched: Dakota Mermis, Philippe Myers, Nicholas Robertson, Max Pacioretty, David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, Artur Akhtyamov, Dennis Hildeby

Injured: Jani Hakanpaa (lower body), Anthony Stolarz (undisclosed)

Status report: Woll will start with Stolarz, a goalie, out; Murray will dress as the backup.

Re-live the winning! Holy Mackinaw!

ROUND TWO LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !Toronto Maple Leafs

>As Game 1 kicks off a busy week for the Panthers and Leafs, the Leafs held what is likely to be their only full practice on Sunday to fine-tune things before puck drop.

>Unlike their former bench boss Sheldon Keefe, current head coach Craig Berube was hesitant to make any major changes to his lineup after the Leafs lost Game 4 and Game 5, despite many believing he should have. >At practice on Sunday, Berube continued with the status quo as the Leafs appear set to roll out the same lineup for Game 1 against Florida on Monday. source

Projected Lineup:

Matthew Knies -- Auston Matthews -- Mitch Marner\ Max Pacioretty -- John Tavares -- William Nylander\ Bobby McMann -- Max Domi -- Pontus Holmberg\ Steven Lorentz -- Scott Laughton -- Calle Jarnkrok

Morgan Rielly -- Brandon Carlo\ Jake McCabe -- Chris Tanev\ Simon Benoit -- Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Anthony Stolarz\ Joseph Woll

Scratched: Dakota Mermis, Philippe Myers, Nicholas Robertson, David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, Artur Akhtyamov

Injured: Jani Hakanpaa (lower body)

Status report: Tkachuk did not practice Sunday but will play. ... Ekblad is serving the last of a two-game suspension the defenseman received from the NHL Department of Player Safety for his hit on Lightning forward Brandon Hagel in Game 4. ... The Maple Leafs will use the same 18 skaters they have since Pacioretty entered the lineup for Game 3 against the Senators.

>Just get it done, Leafs (7:00 p.m. EST, Sportsnet/CBC). source

Nuff said.

Projected Lineup:

Matthew Knies -- Auston Matthews -- Mitch Marner\ Max Pacioretty -- John Tavares -- William Nylander\ Bobby McMann -- Pontus Holmberg -- Max Domi\ Calle Jarnkrok -- Scott Laughton -- Steven Lorentz

Morgan Rielly -- Brandon Carlo\ Jake McCabe -- Chris Tanev\ Simon Benoit -- Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Anthony Stolarz\ Joseph Woll

Scratched: Dakota Mermis, Philippe Myers, David Kampf, Artur Akhtyamov, Nicholas Robertson

Injured: Jani Hakanpaa (lower body)

Game 5 LET'S GOOOOOOOOO! Time to close it out! !Toronto Maple Leafs

>It’s time for the Leafs to take advantage of home ice and end the series tonight. The crowd should provide a lift; hit and score early, and the building will be rocking. The Leafs have the best line in the series and a deep defense. At home, they should be able to control all the matchups and dictate the game. source

Projected Lineup:

Matthew Knies — Auston Matthews — Mitch Marner\ Pontus Holmberg — John Tavares — William Nylander\ Bobby McMann — Max Domi — Max Pacioretty\ Steven Lorentz — Scott Laughton — Calle Jarnkrok

Morgan Rielly — Brandon Carlo\ Jake McCabe — Chris Tanev\ Simon Benoit — Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Anthony Stolarz\ Joseph Woll

Scratched: Dakota Mermis, Philippe Myers, Nicholas Robertson, David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, Artur Akhtyamov

Injured: Jani Hakanpaa (lower body)

Status Report: Woll will dress as the backup after missing practice on Monday because of an illness.

Game 4 Let's GOOOOOOOOOOO! !Toronto Maple Leafs

> The Toronto Maple Leafs have their opponent on the mat. They are staring down at a wounded animal. Time to sweep the leg or deliver some other violent final blow, lest they give the Ottawa Senators a hint of life.

>Riding an eight-game win streak, they’ve already looked different. More controlled and composed. The transition from stretch run to divisional title to 3-0 Round 1 lead has been uncharacteristically smooth.

>Now, it’s time to summon killer instinct. Do they have that finish him in them? source

Projected Lineup:

Knies — Matthews — Marner\ Holmberg — Tavares — Nylander\ McMann — Domi — Pacioretty\ Lorentz — Laughton — Järnkrok

McCabe — Tanev\ Rielly — Carlo\ Benoit — Ekman-Larsson

Stolarz\ Woll

>Max Pacioretty will enter the lineup for the Toronto Maple Leafs, replacing Nick Robertson for Game 3 against the Ottawa Senators.

>Pacioretty took reps with Max Domi and Bobby McMann during Thursday’s morning skate, while Robertson and David Kampf were among the extras. Robertson took an undisciplined penalty in Game 2 and Berube is looking for an emphasis on physicality with the Maple Leafs holding a commanding 2-0 series lead

>The 36-year-old last played on February 8 against the Vancouver Canucks.

Projected Lineup:

Matthew Knies - Auston Matthews - Mitch Marner\ Pontus Holmberg - John Tavares - William Nylander\ Max Pacioretty - Max Domi - Bobby McMann\ Steven Lorentz - Scott Laughton - Calle Jarnkrok

Jake McCabe - Chris Tanev\ Morgan Rielly - Brandon Carlo\ Simon Benoit - Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Anthony Stolarz (projected starter)\ Joseph Woll

Game two LET'S GOOOOOOOOO! !Toronto Maple Leafs

>Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz is projected to start Tuesday’s Game 2 against the Ottawa Senators. Stolarz was granted a rest day Monday and did not attend practice, but participated in Tuesday’s optional morning skate.

>Toronto is expected to run back the same lines from Game 1. Berube made an in-game adjustment, placing Pontus Holmberg with John Tavares and William Nylander, while Max Domi joined Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson, and it appears that the Maple Leafs will be sticking with these combinations entering Game 2. McMann-Domi-Robertson were Toronto’s second-most commonly-used unit during the regular season. source

Projected lineup:

Matthew Knies -- Auston Matthews -- Mitch Marner\ Pontus Holmberg -- John Tavares -- William Nylander\ Bobby McMann -- Max Domi -- Nicholas Robertson\ Steven Lorentz -- Scott Laughton -- Calle Jarnkrok

Morgan Rielly -- Brandon Carlo\ Jake McCabe -- Chris Tanev\ Simon Benoit -- Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Anthony Stolarz\ Joseph Woll

Scratched: Dakota Mermis, Philippe Myers, Max Pacioretty, David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, Artur Akhtyamov

Injured: Jani Hakanpaa (lower body)

Status report: The Senators lines reflected those used during their morning skate. ... The Maple Leafs will dress the same 18 skaters they used in their 6-2 win in Game 1. ... The Holmberg-Domi switch was foreshadowed after coach Craig Berube moved Holmberg up to the second line in place of Domi midway through Game 1.

>The Toronto Maple Leafs are coming into the playoffs hot and healthy.

>Shutdown defenceman Jake McCabe will suit up for the home team Sunday against the Ottawa Senators after 18 days of rest and recovery from an undisclosed upper-body injury suffered on April 2.

>“Yeah, pumped. I’m ready to rock,” McCabe confirmed Saturday.

>Less certain, but nevertheless encouraging, is the status of Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who participated in his first full team practice alongside partner Simon Benoit.

>The Leafs want to see how Ekman-Larsson (upper body) responds from a hard skate before giving him the green light. source

Projected Lineup:

Knies - Matthews - Marner\ Domi - Tavares - Nylander\ McMann - Holmberg - Robertson\ Lorentz - Laughton - Jarnkrok

McCabe - Tanev\ Rielly - Carlo\ Benoit - Ekman-Larsson

Stolarz\ Woll

Update: Ekman-Larsson is in.