The coach will play who he thinks gives the team the best chance to win regardless of what the fans like.

KK and 22 are overadored by the fanbase, so as such its clear that it will not be appreciated that they are out. Instead an apparently physical and defensive lineup is iced, which honestly plays the weaknesses of Toronto pretty well.

Sure Cole has a great shot, but he's not at a playoff level in many other areas of his game yet. And KK has had an underwhelming year and still looks awkward out there. I think Toronto's system would exploit both of these players.

I guess we will see after a game or two.

No matter what you think about KK or Caufield, Eric Staal shouldn’t be anywhere near a f*cking NHL team. He’s terrible. And now he’s playing the PP and 3rd line, while I’m not sure he’s even better than Michael Frolík.

Edit: Also did you seriously argue that putting Staal over KK makes the team more physical? 😂

Bud we played an ECHL forward for 16 minutes a game all year long.

I did not, but the experience of Staal and Perry in these series are pretty crucial. I don't think Staal is the direct replacement of KK either. Staal is in this lineup no matter what. Very frequently, older players are very underwhelming in the regular season but then take off in the playoffs. They know the game, its different - way different. We will see if he wakes up.

Kero? or who you thinking? i had a brain fart

Comeau

You clearly haven’t watched Staal play in awhile. His “experience” has done jack sh*t for this team. He fell off a cliff this year, but no one noticed because he was in the tire fire that was the Sabres. And he absolutely is in competition with KK. He’s centring the 3rd line, and playing PP minutes. KK is just as good at faceoffs, he’s more physical, has a way better shot, and is a way better passer. Staal’s “experience” doesn’t change any of that.

Staal is terrible offensively, and defensively, and if we were going on merit, he’d be centering Laval’s 4th line right now.

Again, spurts of his former self might reveal once he's seen playoff action.

KK has had a pretty gnarly season too, but I wouldn't expect someone named after that player to give a non bias evaluation. I don't think he should be scratched, but I understand why - at least in a one game thing. Maybe it will spark him.

Ultimately it's a high risk move that could also have high reward. If you get last year's staal by giving him that one last playoff push, then it's paid off. I think you're just blinded by dislike for Staal - this is a normal situation. Old players who suck all regular season often turn up the notch and channel whatever energy they have left into the playoff rounds.

I’m not biased against Staal. I loved Staal before he joined the habs, and I was pumped when we acquired him. But ask any habs fan who has watched the team since then, he’s been terrible. I honestly cannot tell you one part of his game that is better than fringe NHL player. His shot is weak, his pass is weak, he isn’t physically or good at stick-checking, and his defensive game is nonexistent. Other than dumb luck, there’s no way he can have a positive impact on this team.

I’ll be the middle man for your conversation. **** it, let’s see what happens before we start getting pissed of and blaming everything under the sun. Staal has looked like **** and kk has been better. Kk’s struggled offensively after the first 20 or so games but has been solid defensively.

That being said the other guy made some good points. Maybe watching a game or two helps kk. He might get Hungry and come back with more confidence. You want to win the series but also help the kids, you don’t want them to get outmatched in the playoffs and lose a bunch of confidence. The plan appears to be to try and pound the puck down Toronto’s throat and play good defensively.

If we look lose a game or two then make a switch.
Also these aren’t the set lines yet.
Let’s take a deep breath