8. Play Nick Robertson on the Power-Play
The Leafs need to stop loading up one unit. That's dumb when you consider that on the power-play, Domi isn't much worse of a player than Marner. Keefe needs to take better advantage of what he has.
He has two great net-front guys in Bertuzzi and Knies they should each be on their own unit.
Then, unit one should alternate between Matthews and Robertson blasting pucks at the net, while unit two should employ the same strategy with Nylander and McMann. One unit gets Domi, the other gets Marner. One unit gets Rielly, the other gets Liljegren. It's really that simple.
9. Play Conor Timmins
Timmins is a great puck-mover and the Leafs need that. He also consistently puts up the best numbers on the team. I'd like to see him and Rielly paired together whenever possible.
First paring should be McCabe/Liljegren then follow that Rielly with Timmins and make some kind of third pairing out of Lyubushkin, Edmundson, Brodie, Giordano (if he comes back) and Benoit.
Here are the Lines I think the Leafs should try:
Bertuzzi – Matthews –Robertson
Knies - Tavares - Marner
McMann – Domi – Nylander
Dewar/Holmberg – Kampf - Jarnkrok
To my eye, this lineup does the best job of using everyone in their best role, while maintaining a strong balance . This is probably the best fourth line in hockey, and if you pick your spots with that third line they will score a ton. The most important aspect is having a superstar on every line so that team's have trouble defending against you.
All together, I believe this gives the Leafs the best chance of winning the Stanley Cup.