Toronto Maple Leafs: Time to Ice a ‘Super Line’ of Star Players

The Toronto Maple Leafs certainly have superstar players; it’s about time they put them all out on the ice at 5-on-5.

It’s very much a talked-about fact that John Tavares isn’t getting it done right now. Even Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have been quieter for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the last two games.

William Nylander of course managed to add two goals in Game 4, but he too hasn’t been anywhere near as impressive as he was in last season’s first round series.

Add to this that Sheldon Keefe is clearly comfortable juggling his line combinations and maybe it’s about time to run a ‘super line’.

What Does a Toronto Maple Leafs Super Line Look Like?

This is where perhaps there is an advantage to be gained for the Toronto Maple Leafs, especially with the likes of Anthony Cirelli and Brayden Point playing such a strong match-up game.

If you roll a line with Mitch Marner on the right wing, John Tavares down the middle (and as the primary face-off man) and Auston Matthews on the left wing; perhaps there’s an advantage to be gained.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will clearly have scouted the way to defend Matthews at center, but would putting him on the wing be enough to throw them off their rhythm?

All Tavares would need to do with these superstars is tread water. Of course, we expect more than that, but his ability to get net-front would be valuable with Matthews hopefully more available to shoot.

Now, such a line isn’t something you necessarily run for every shift. That’s putting too many eggs into the one basket.

But much like the Toronto Maple Leafs will often roll out a grouping of Nylander, Tavares and Matthews after a penalty-kill; this could be a line to send over the boards after an extended offensive zone shift or two.

Perhaps even throw it out there after a third-line shift here and there; really try to throw the Lightning off their game in terms of a line-match. It does leave a weakness in not having a clear-cut top-six option to take the next shift if indeed the fourth line is left out to match against the ‘super line’.

No offense to them but a combination, realistically comprising Alex Kerfoot, William Nylander and Michael Bunting or Ondrej Kase isn’t altogether that concerning for Tampa’s first line group.

However, if it’s the way to get John Tavares a goal or just get his offensive game looking a little nicer, maybe it’s a smart move. Heck, if it gets a goal or two out of Marner and Matthews, it’s a success.

It’s a real tough challenge that Sheldon Keefe has but rolling this line for the odd extra shift would be enough to possibly put Jon Cooper off his game.

Right now we’re talking really quite drastic ideas but it’s reached the point where Game 5 is a must-win assignment for the Toronto Maple Leafs; after all a loss gives no room to move.