Game 82 of the regular season has arrived, and the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to experiment.
Head coach Craig Berube is taking a look at his lineup, especially the second line. In particular, he’s been evaluating the chemistry between Max Domi, John Tavares, and William Nylander.
The trio had their first test together during a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes last Sunday, before being put together again on Tuesday in Buffalo. Domi was promoted to join Tavares and Nylander on the second line, picking up two assists on Sunday, while the line combined for two goals, two assists, and four points.
Maple Leafs Give Max Domi Another Top-6 Opportunity With Atlantic Division Title in Sight
BUFFALO — The Toronto Maple Leafs will reward Max Domi with a second look alongside John Tavares and William Nylander as the club visits the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on Tuesday.
Against the Sabres, the trio went pointless and weren’t as productive. But Berube remains cautiously optimistic as they look to build on Sunday’s performance before heading into the playoffs.
“There's things I like and there's things that I don't particularly like all the time,” Berube admitted after Thursday’s optional practice. “For me, it's about them managing the puck more than anything. I think, you know, they've got to understand that hope plays aren't good plays. We need good hockey plays, and if they can get that mindset, that could be a dangerous line. I mean, I think you have a little bit of everything on that line. But, they did a lot of good things. There's things that they probably can do better too.”
The key seems to be for the line to focus on making effective, controlled plays that lead to more consistent results. For Tavares, his focus is on finding chemistry and adaptability, something that Domi, who has spent most of the season centering the third line, is working to establish with his new linemates.
“Yeah, I think you're just always trying to have an understanding of who you're playing with, what their strengths are, what makes them very good hockey players and how they contribute to the team and doing what you have to do to build chemistry. Help make the players around yourself better, and how you can impact the game positively as a line carry play, do a lot of good things, obviously offensively, but in all three zones without the puck and being reliable and things like that,” Tavares explained.
“All the guys we play with, we're familiar with, and guys that have been here and played with over the course of this season or previous seasons. So, yeah, you're just trying to continue to adapt to one another and build that chemistry,” he added.
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Tavares and Nylander each have had notable seasons in their own right. Nylander has set a new career-high in goals this season (45) while Tavares is two goals shy of 40, tying the second most he’s had in a season. Domi understands the opportunity to play with two premier players and is looking to put his best foot forward.
“Two great players and obviously make a lot happen, and how to score, so it's a great opportunity,” said Domi.
The 30-year-old has spent the majority of the year between Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson, amongst other combinations, on his wings. Yet, in his two seasons with the Leafs, Domi has been a versatile forward playing both center and on the wing, including in the opening-round series against the Boston Bruins last year. His speed and playmaking ability was part of the reason Berube wanted to experiment with him on the top six to begin with.
"I wanted a little more speed in that line. They ended up getting a couple goals that line for us, but just the speed and his playmaking ability," Berube said of the change on Sunday. (He) made some nice plays. Made two good plays. We scored two goals off it. I thought he did a good job. He's obviously a versatile player for us. (He) plays center, plays wing. He provides speed and ability to make plays."
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It’s the second straight game that each member of the third line has recorded a goal.
Domi’s adjustment to the second line comes at an interesting time, with the potential return of Max Pacioretty from long-term injured reserve looming as the postseason approaches. If and when Pacioretty is activated for the postseason, it raises the question of where he’ll slot in – potentially on the second line. Regardless, given the circumstances, the bench boss seems to be monitoring how combinations could look in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Leafs have already clinched the Atlantic Division and secured a first-round matchup with the Ottawa Senators. As a result, Thursday's game against the Detroit Red Wings will serve as an opportunity to experiment further with a focus on staying healthy.
Berube being on the fence with a Domi-Tavares-Nylander line shows that while there is optimism about the group’s potential, nothing appears to be set in stone.
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