Line shuffle

The Leafs are one game into their 4 game road trip. So far, not so good. To be honest i did not watch the San Jose game. I live on the east coast and start time is at 11 and i get up at 5 for work. So i catch all the replays, highlights and podcasts the next day to get as much info as i can. I may try to watch at least the first period tonight because I'm going through hockey withdrawal.

There has been movement in the lineup at practice. Babcock has shuffled the line during the past few games but the latest practice was the first full practice with the usual lines being thrown into a blender. The only line that stayed untouched was the Matthews line, which makes sense. That line is a dominating line and seems to be the only line that contributes on a regular basis. Personally i feel that the written lineup is not something to get to excited or worked up about. I see a lot of comment on social media about who should play where and with who. In reality these lines are very fluid and Babcock changes who he puts out for what circumstance is happening. He will be doing that a lot more until he finds the right balance of scoring and defense.

That's one great thing about this Leafs team, they are going to score. And there is nothing that most teams can do about that. From top to bottom this is a stacked offensive team that you cannot stop. If you put your best defensive players on the ice against Matthews, great, you may slow down Matthews line a bit. But the next shift look who is out. Is it going to be Kadri? Or maybe Marleau? Look who is on the 4th line, it's Marner. And there a other players in the mix that can make you pay.

The problem is defence obviously. And I'm not talking about Gardiner and company. Yes they could play better, and i believe they will play better. Carrick and Borgman are still on a learning curve and i think a lot of fans forget that and are too hard on them. This will be a growing season for both of them from start to finish. That being said it puts a lot of time on the shoulders of the other 4 defenseman. Although they look shaky now and then, they really are a good NHL defense core. Look around the league and a lot of teams are in worse shape. Look at the defensive core that Pittsburg won with, and that helps me sleep at night.

Tonight will be a good game i believe, lots of players being moved around and everyone eager to shut up the critics. Look for a high scoring game and maybe even a shutout for old Freddy, who needs to gain some confidence.

Lets go boys, go get a W

#standwitness