Thought #3: Updated Playoff Lineup
Galchenyuk-Matthews-Marner
Robertson-Tavares-Nylander
Foligno-Engvall-Mikheyev
Kerfoot-Spezza-Simmonds
Extras: Thornton
Following Kyle Dubas’ acquisition of Columbus Blue Jacket’s captain Nick Foligno, I detailed how Sheldon Keefe may look to put his 12 forwards together come game one against (likely) the Montreal Canadiens.
This was without Zach Hyman in the picture as at the time of that writing, there was no news on the extent of the knee injury he suffered at the hands of Alex Edler. But we have since learned the Leafs most versatile forward should be ready for the playoffs (and possibly before then), so here is my updated playoff lineup:
Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Galchenyuk-Tavares-Nylander
Foligno-Nash-Mikheyev
Thornton-Spezza-Simmonds
Extras: Kerfoot, Robertson, Brooks, Engvall
Similarly, a silver lining in the injury to Zach Bogosian has been the ability to experiment with a few different bottom-pairings down the stretch. The talk of Leafsnation right now is the dazzling display of talent and strength steaming from Leafs 2018 first-round pick Rasmus Sandin.
Sheldon Keefe said he expects Rasmus Sandin to play "most, if not all" of the regular season games remaining.
— Joshua Kloke (@joshuakloke) April 27, 2021
With Keefe mentioning Sandin will remain in the Torotno Maple Leafs lineup up until the postseason, it looks like the team wants to give him as much runway as possible to see if he will be able to handle the intensified spirits of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And believe me, he is ready. As such, my defense pairings would be as follows:
Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Bogosian
Extras: Dermott, Hutton