Exactly what you need to do when you're down 1 in a series, split up the 2 guys who have been explosive all season. Theyre one of the best duos in the league. Why on earth would you do this.

I like the idea of this, but last time Matthews and Marner were split up they weren't too happy about it

because the rest of the lineup looks very thin without Tavares. I guess it's down to two theories; balanced attack or load up the top line. Both of those guys have been explosive their whole careers with or without eachother, can very easily drive a line. But yes they are best together. Just a matter of if you're comfortable with a Foligno - Kerfoot - Nylander line, or Nylander at C.

I think it really comes down to Nash's readiness. If he can be that 2C then perfect. If not, we are screwed. I think Keefe will just end up putting Kerfoot at 2C anyways, although it's not ideal

I hate to make matters even worse, and hopefully it’s nothing, but Campbell isn’t on the ice at practice.

Oh christ

official lines:
Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Galchenyuk-Foligno-Nylander
Engvall-Kerfoot-Mikheyev
Thornton-Spezza-Simmonds

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Bogosian

Andersen
Rittich

Absent: Campbell
Extras: Hutton, Marincin, Dermott, Brooks, Nash

#Leafs practice getting underway.

Jack Campbell is absent, most likely for maintenance.

Galchenyuk, Engvall in regular sweaters; Brooks, Nash in extras grey

- kristen shilton

Nash at 2C is a big no for me.

Marner isn't Marner without Matthews

Marner had a 94 point season without Matthews as a 21 year old

Never with Matthews in 18/19? Try Marner next to Kerfoot and see how he does.

no Babcock refused to play them together. First played together halfway through 19/20. I think you underestimate Marner, he drove his Bozak line as a rookie. And that's not a knock on Marner, Kerfoot just isn't very good lol

When Tavares had his hand injury last season he spent a bit of him with Kerfoot and still produced.

Okay...
1. Dont split Marner and Matthews. They actually went ballistic yesterday. 5 on 5, the Hyman-Matthews-Marner line outshot their opponents 13-3, the rest of the team at 5 on 5 was outshot 10-13. I get that the leafs lost their 2C, but the top line was THE engine yesterday at 5 on 5 with an xGF% of 88%. 9 scoring chances for and only 2 against as well as 4 high danger chances for and NONE against. The puck will find the back of the net sooner rather than later because it has all year.
2. Riley nash is not a top 6 forward, he is exclusively a shutdown guy and he was borderline invisible yesterday, which is why the leafs are scratching him for next game for engvall, who provides the same defense but also has a scoring touch. Either Kerfoot or Foligno are a better option as the 2C next game, last 4 seasons, Foligno is a 48% faceoff guy so I get them moving him in their and then inserting Galch back on that second line.
Bottom line, dont change what is working to fix what isn't. Its how you turn jeff skinner from a 40 goal scorer into the worst contract in hockey because you split him up with Eichel.