Sheldon Keefe makes shocking lineup changes after Mitch Marner return

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Tom Banks
April 5, 2024  (8:15 PM)

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Photo credit: NHLPA

Mitch Marner is finally nearing a return for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Sheldon Keefe has given the lineup a shocking shake up.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been without star forward Mitch Marner for several weeks due to injury, but now, he's on his way back in a major boost before the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.

Marner's return is seemingly set for Saturday's showdown with the rival Montreal Canadiens, but surprisingly, it appears as though Marner won't be on a line with longtime linemate Auston Matthews. At practice on Friday, Marner made the move to the second line alongside captain John Tavares and Bobby McMann, with William Nylander shuffled down to the third line to partner with Pontus Holmberg and rookie standout Matthew Knies.

This is an interesting look that the Maple Leafs haven't tested before, but given the momentum the team has maintained with Bertuzzi and Domi on the first line alongside Matthews, it could be the stroke of genius that this team needs ahead of the playoffs. Defensively, the Leafs have paired up TJ Brodie and Mark Giordano, but it's a very familiar grouping ahead of Saturday's matchup, so we will see how these new lines work.

Source: Hockey Patrol

Sheldon Keefe spreads the Leafs offense with Mitch Marner's return

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Previously

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AVRIL 5   |   60 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe makes shocking lineup changes after Mitch Marner return Can this Maple Leafs lineup from Sheldon Keefe win the Stanley Cup?
Yes	19	31.7 %
No	41	68.3 %
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