Toronto Maple Leafs: Projected Lines for Game 2 Are Rather Alarming

The Toronto Maple Leafs projected lines for Game 2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning look a little alarming, to be quite honest.

Of course, the Toronto Maple Leafs are lucky enough to welcome back a 63-point regular season player that looks built for playoff hockey in Michael Bunting.

Lucky enough, the decision of who he replaces in the line-up was also made easy with Kyle Clifford finding himself suspended for his rogue hit on Ross Colton.

However, the alarm should be sounded on who is replacing Clifford on the fourth line.

Toronto Maple Leafs Fourth Line Shuffle

Looking to the projected lines, it is Ondrej Kase that will be lining up with Wayne Simmonds and Colin Blackwell on that fourth line:

On one hand, it makes for a high-energy, dangerous offensive unit to have available as a fourth line group.

On the other hand though, they’re likely on the ice against Pat Maroon and Corey Perry who might very well be looking to ‘goon’ it up.

Therein lies the big concern with this particular roster move. Ondrej Kase, after all, has had multiple concussions this season, let alone across his career.

Given his kamikaze style of play, he is always a risk factor, but adding in the Tampa Bay fourth line element, it is a little alarming to think of potential consequences.

With any luck, these lines, much as Sheldon Keefe played his lines last game, are a little fluid and it won’t be Ondrej Kase spending every shift against Maroon and Perry. The intensity we saw from Pierre Engvall, coupled with his size might make him a slightly better option to plug against them.

Such a move would link Kase back up with his fellow countryman David Kampf, while still maintaining the potential for offense from the fourth line.

The other surprise that doesn’t necessarily cause the same level of alarm is that Jason Spezza has been healthy scratched once more.  That decision may not sit too comfortably with some Toronto Maple Leafs fans, but equally the team just won 5-0; why change too much of a winning combination.

Jason Spezza showed, that despite his age, he absolutely can step up his game for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs; he was one of very few that looked good last year after all.

He will no doubt get a chance eventually. It’s possible that Sheldon Keefe is actually saving him for the road trip as he adds another calming veteran voice to the bench.

Regardless of no Spezza, these projected lines look like they can continue to get the job done, if the Toronto Maple Leafs don’t allow the goons to engage. If they engage, there might be some genuine safety concerns for Ondrej Kase on the fourth line.