With Grabovski and MacAuthur going down last night against the Coyotes the Maple Leafs start to look thin in the top 6. Tim Connelly looks like he’s ready to return for the Nashville game on Thursday so it looks as though he will draw into Grabovski’s spot and Bozak will continue to center his BFF’s line.
The Easy Call:
Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
Frattin-Connolly-Kulemin
Brown-Lombardi-Steckel
Callup-Dupuis-Crabb
Maybe Frattin can actually burry one of his many chances if he finds himself on a line with Connolly, He just better be ready to shoot, that puck might appear on stick when he least expects it, Connolly is shifty. It appears the Leafs are undecided about a call up yet, Burke Stated on the Fan590 morning show he doesn’t like putting call ups into the line up unless their 100% healthy. I would tend to agree, might as well give them the best chance of success. Wilson Stated post practice that he will dress 7 D-men thursday (@Nashville), that gives Joe Colborne a chance to get in a game Friday night with the Marlies before a potential call up. It will be interesting to see if Jake Gardiner gets any shifts at forward on thursday, its where he played until sometime in high school. Kadri deserves a shot at the Top 6 with 2 guys going down and Frattin’s lack of production with his ample opportunities. Heres how I think Saturday night Vs Capitals should look.
Give the People what they want:
Lupul-Connolly-Kessel
Kadri-Colborne-Kulemin
Frattin-Bozak-Lombardi
Brown-Steckel-Crabb
You have 3 lines that have the potential to generate offense, as bad as the Goalies have been since Reimer went down the team isn’t scoring enough, Kadri & Colborne could help with that and Kulemin keeps them honest. I would be interested to see what those kids can do if they develop some chemistry, both offensively gifted. I would even consider an in game swap of Connolly and Colborne, why not? It’s what the kid is being groomed for, right?
Bozak and Connolly are pretty close in Face-off % (50.2% & 48.1% respectively) I would expect Connolly to get better on the dot with more games played, his last 5 games he averaged 52.8%, which would be higher without a 29.4% blip against The Sens on Oct 30th. So hopefully that allows Lupul and Kessel to keep up their strong possession play going when rushing in with speed. They looked fine with Connolly earlier this year.
Although I haven’t been thrilled with Lombardi on the wing this year (IMO he should sit a game and do some thinking when some bodies return) I don’t see Bozak faring any better on the wall and a second option in the face-off circle is good on a 3rd line. Frattin finishes checks and this line should be able to put pressure on and work against other teams top guys.
Any line with Mike Brown is great, although Kessel has been the team’s clear cut best this year, Brown has played his role perfectly, guy never takes a shift off and should round out a solid 4th line with Stecks and Crabb.. Never see them not checking hard and making life difficult for others.
Note* Grabovski or MacAuthur with need to go on IR for second line up to fly.
As always, Comments feedback, banter always welcome
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Twitter: @AndyLevang
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