The Toronto Maple Leafs are rolling with the same lineup that's resulted in playoff success in the past, with Game 6 against the Florida Panthers on the horizon. After scoring Toronto's only goal in their 6-1 loss [https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1922833307420459435] to the Panthers on Wednesday, Nick Robertson comes out of the lineup with David Kampf. Calle Jarnkrok and Pontus Holmberg, who've played all but one playoff game (their most recent loss), will return to the forward group. Although Jarnkrok, Steven Lorentz, and Scott Laughton have combined for five points [https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters] through 11 games (10 for Jarnkrok), head coach Craig Berube has enjoyed what he's received from that trio. "Just, I liked our game with the other guys in the lineup," Toronto's head coach said Friday morning about the switch. "We've played good hockey with that lineup we have tonight." Going into Game 6, there were questions about whether Berube would split up Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/its-not-exactly-what-i-want-to-see-why-the-maple-leafs-are-hesitant-to-split-up-mitch-marner-and-auston-matthews-against-panthers]. The duo has combined for seven points throughout the series against Florida, but has gone quiet, much like the entire team, through the last two games. 'We'll Be A Lot Better': Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube Urges Players To Stop Overthinking Ahead of Game 6 Vs. Panthers [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a3513328-37ce-4974-97af-28eac3512a95.jpeg] 'We'll Be A Lot Better': Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube Urges Players To Stop Overthinking Ahead of Game 6 Vs. Panthers If there's anything Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube wants to see out of his players in a do-or-die Game 6 against the Florida Panthers, it's that they're not <a href="https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1922798869177372719">overthinking things</a>. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/we-ll-be-a-lot-better-maple-leafs-coach-craig-berube-urges-players-to-stop-overthinking-ahead-of-game-6-vs-panthers] Berube admitted that while it's "always a consideration," he will keep them together for Game 6, which could possibly be their final game together as teammates. "I've split them up this year at times, and I never felt that it really did anything, to be honest with you," he said. Maple Leafs' projected lineup [https://x.com/dalter/status/1923400823687500245] for Game 6 Matthew Knies — Auston Matthews — Mitch Marner Pontus Holmberg — John Tavares — William Nylander Bobby McMann — Max Domi — Max Pacioretty Steven Lorentz — Scott Laughton — Calle Jarnkrok Morgan Rielly — Brandon Carlo Jake McCabe — Chris Tanev Simon Benoit — Oliver Ekman-Larsson Joseph Woll starts Matt Murray ‘I Can’t Control What They Do’: After Game 5 Loss, Berube Tells Maple Leafs To Stay Off Social Media And Focus On Hockey [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c770aa73-aca2-4fe1-a857-d156d6c2b87f.jpeg] ‘I Can’t Control What They Do’: After Game 5 Loss, Berube Tells Maple Leafs To Stay Off Social Media And Focus On Hockey The lights couldn’t be brighter, and the noise couldn’t be any louder after the Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t just lose Game 5, they were humiliated. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-can-t-control-what-they-do-after-game-5-loss-berube-tells-maple-leafs-to-stay-off-social-media-and-focus-on-hockey] A Maple Leafs win could depend on how the team starts in Florida. Berube referenced the start of Game 5 on Friday morning, saying that his team was not skating and "stood around and watched" while the Panthers generated 13 shots in the first period. It must be the opposite if Toronto wants a different result. Now, there are plenty of players with experience on this team: Ekman-Larsson and Lorentz, who've won the Stanley Cup [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/trying-to-help-in-any-way-i-can-maple-leafs-leaning-on-oliver-ekman-larsson-former-panthers-in-playoff-rematch-against-florida], plus Pacioretty, Carlo, and Tanev. However, if the Maple Leafs truly want to reach the top, their big players must get going. ‘I Don’t Think We Gave Them Much Reason To Stick Around’: Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs React To Boos, Fans Leaving During Game 5 Blowout [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a758aaa8-a02b-40a7-a1d8-9c0a1f2e6d1c.jpeg] ‘I Don’t Think We Gave Them Much Reason To Stick Around’: Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs React To Boos, Fans Leaving During Game 5 Blowout By the time the Florida Panthers scored their sixth goal midway through the third period on Wednesday night, Scotiabank Arena had become a sea of empty seats. However, fans began the booing and heading for the exits late in the second period when Florida made it 4-0. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-don-t-think-we-gave-them-much-reason-to-stick-around-auston-matthews-maple-leafs-react-to-boos-fans-leaving-during-game-5-blowout] While that includes everyone, there should be an emphasis on Matthews getting on the board on Friday. He's yet to score in this series, and Toronto could use his scoring in this massive game [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/big-goals-coming-maple-leafs-craig-berube-dismisses-concerns-over-auston-matthews-playoff-goal-drought]. "You want to score, you want to do that," Toronto's captain said Friday morning. "I'm just going to continue to shoot, continue to compete out there and work and do the little things to the best of my ability. And when those opportunities come, I'm just going to keep shooting and keep believing that the next one's going in." For several years, we've watched Marner and Matthews use trickery on teams to put the Maple Leafs ahead in games. It's been few and far between in the playoffs, but there are moments where they've exploited teams [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfWQ39NThN0]. ‘Our Captain Led The Way’: Auston Matthews Ends Power-Play Drought, Sets Tone In Maple Leafs’ Series-Clinching Win Over Senators In Battle Of Ontario [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/800838ca-50bd-4146-b63e-97e92cb18a15.jpeg] ‘Our Captain Led The Way’: Auston Matthews Ends Power-Play Drought, Sets Tone In Maple Leafs’ Series-Clinching Win Over Senators In Battle Of Ontario When the moment demanded leadership, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews delivered. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/our-captain-led-the-way-auston-matthews-ends-power-play-drought-sets-tone-in-maple-leafs-series-clinching-win-over-senators-in-battle-of-ontario] That needs to happen again. Of course, this Panthers team is the defending Stanley Cup Champions, and they might be better than last year's version. But Toronto still has a chance. The Maple Leafs have beaten them twice before [https://www.nhl.com/schedule/playoff-series/2025/series-i/panthers-vs-mapleleafs]. They have to win the biggest game of their lives on Friday to have another one of the biggest games of their life on Sunday. The entire team will need to rip a piece of skin off the Panthers to do that, though. And Berube hopes that it occurs with Matthews and Marner [https://x.com/dalter/status/1923402030216778128] at the forefront. "These guys have been a combo for a long time, and they've had a lot of success. I trust them. I believe in them." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwytvfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story.
