Toronto Maple Leafs: Best Line Combinations for the Playoffs

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 06: Toronto Maple Leafs Center Auston Matthews (34) is chased behind the net by Detroit Red Wings Defenceman Dennis Cholowski (21) during the regular season NHL game between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs on December 6, 2018 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 7: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck against the Nashville Predators during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on January 7, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Toronto Maple Leafs clinched their third straight playoff appearance Monday night in Long Island.

The Toronto Maple Leafs then promptly laid an egg in Carolina.

With only two games left, the Leafs have a limited time to experiment with possible line combos for the playoffs, and making this more difficult, tonight they will get back Jake Gardiner, but lose both Nazem Kadri and Jake Muzzin to illness.

The Toronto Maple Leafs to this date have only dressed their complete optimal lineup for a single period, which was in the St.Louis game where Kadri was injured.

This is unfortunate, but ultimately, as long as they’re healthy for game one of the playoffs next week, then who cares?

Allow us to explore what the Leafs optimal lineup should look like.

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