Toronto Maple Leafs Need a Better Lineup vs the Devils and Sheldon Keefe

The Toronto Maple Leafs season got off to a bad start when the goalie that their President and GM just staked their careers on was unable to suit up for the first game of the year, and had to go on the IR with what is obviously a pulled/strained groin.

The Toronto Maple Leafs took a second successive kick to the metaphorical groin when they absolutely dummied the rival Montreal Canadiens, only to lose the game 1-0 and take their first shutout in over 200 games.

But other than that, the game went well. The Leafs fully dominated the Canadiens and they got excellent games from their new Goalie, Anthony Stolarz, and their new defenseman, Oliver Ekmna-Larsson.

They also play again tonight, against Sheldon Keefe and the New Jersey Devils. Instead of a game-preview (which is boring) here is some things we're thinking about after game one and ahead of game 2.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Sheldon Keefe and Themselves (Liljegren, Hildeby?)

While it hasn't been announced, the Toronto Maple Leafs should definitely use Dennis Hildeby tonight against New Jersey. The second game of the season isn't much more than an exhibition game anyways, and there is no need to risk Stolarz on a back-to-back when Woll is already out.

If I was the Leafs, I'd play it safe and give Hildeby his NHL debut.

As for the lineup, I have a lot of thoughts, considering how well the Leafs played last night. They clearly have to get Liljegren into tonight's game. It makes no sense to sit one of your best defenseman, so hopefully they are just trying to motivate him with his recent demotion.

The fact is, he's a better player at this point in his career than most of the Leafs blue-liners, and he certainly shouldn't be sitting for Simon Benoit or Conor Timmins who were fine but underwheming last night.

I also don't like the first line they used last night. Sure, they had the puck a lot, but that's a given. Splitting up Marner and Matthews stretches the lineup and makes everyone more dangerous. Domi is so much better when he plays with Matthews that this is really a no-brainer.

Tavaers/Nylander just doesn't work for whatever reason. It's fine, but both guys can be better. I didn't care for this line at all. The Leafs don't have the centre depth to use Nylander on the wing, as shown by their third line being by far their worst line.

Pacioretty drew a penalty, but otherwise was invisible. Holmberg is overmatched in a top-nine role, and while I love Nick Roberston, what good is he going to do skating with two AHL quality players? This line stunk and likely always will.

As for the fourth line, Steve Lorentz made a great impression but the team's use of Ryan Reaves and David Kampf continues to baflle. This line was good last night but it can't score and coupled with the unimpressive third-line, the Leafs have half of their lineup totally incapable of scoring.

The Leafs need a more dynamic game from their stars and they need their coach to dress a proper lineup. Either way, they likely won't have much trouble with a Devils team that had to start the season in Europe.