Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube is implementing significant changes to his struggling lineup, with veteran forward Max Domi expected to be a healthy scratch for Saturday night's game against the Nashville Predators.
Lineup Shuffle in Nashville
Reports from the team's optional morning skate at Bridgestone Arena indicate that Max Domi will be out of the lineup for the second time this season. Journalist David Alter of The Hockey News observed Domi on the ice with other projected scratches following Berube's media availability. Domi, who has recorded just one assist in his last six contests, was previously a healthy scratch on November 28th in Washington.
If Domi is indeed sidelined, Matias Maccelli could draw into the lineup for the first time since November 28th. In goal, Joseph Woll is confirmed to get the start against the Predators.
Power Play in Need of Fix
Coach Berube confirmed to reporters that alterations are coming to the team's underperforming power play units. When asked if the changes involved personnel, Berube simply replied, "Yes." The move comes as no surprise given the unit's profound struggles this season.
Through games played on Friday, the Maple Leafs' power play ranks 31st in the NHL with a success rate of just 14.1% (12 goals on 85 opportunities). Only the Calgary Flames have been less effective. Compounding the issue, Toronto has surrendered four shorthanded goals, tying them for the second-most in the league.
Key members of the top unit have experienced lengthy droughts. Matthew Knies last scored on the power play on October 28th, captain John Tavares on November 8th, and star winger William Nylander on November 22nd.
Seeking a Response After Shutout Loss
The changes follow a 4-0 shutout loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday, a performance that left the team deeply unsatisfied. The Leafs have lost three of their last four games and sit just one point out of the Eastern Conference basement.
"A response is what I am looking for," Berube stated. "We can be a lot better. Nobody was happy after that game. We had a good meeting about it all and I think we're on the same page, ready to go tonight. We have to move on and play the way we can." He added that the team's leaders were vocal after the loss, which he viewed as a positive sign.
Berube also provided brief updates on injured players. Goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who recently celebrated the birth of a child, is slated to see a specialist soon for his upper-body injury. Defenceman Chris Tanev is skating and progressing from his upper-body issue, but medical decisions regarding his return are still pending.
The Leafs will look to test their new configurations against a Nashville Predators penalty kill that ranks 14th in the league at 81.5%.
