It is apparent after the Toronto Maple Leafs game six victory versus the Boston Bruins, that they are starting to figure things out. The first-round, 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoff series has unraveled some secrets for the Leafs. For starters, you don’t have to play the Bruins game in order to beat them. Two Leaf forwards who have shown that they are on board with this type of play of attacking the Bruins, are Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi. Neither is typically regarded as a top-line player, but with the absence of Auston Matthews from the club’s lineup, they have been stepping up, and subsequently stealing the show.
The Leafs Top Line Fillers Turned Heroes
Looking back at the regular season, Tyler Bertuzzi has 21 goals and 22 assists in 80 games. This was all the while playing at 16:03 of ice time. Furthermore, he was right around his career average shooting percentage of 13.9% with a 13.1% rating in 2023-24. However, in his final 25 games, he absolutely lit it up with 15 goals. He continues to be a man on a mission, so far through six playoff games he has 22 hits.
“I think everyone’s frustrated over there.”
Tyler Bertuzzi on the Bruins after Game 6. pic.twitter.com/sR5OXLHIEL
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 3, 2024
Turning Back the Clock as a Domi is Providing Edge to the Leafs Lineup
Domi had himself a nice regular season as well in 2023-24 for the Leafs. He had nine goals and 38 assists for 47 points in only 13:47 of ice time during the season. Additionally, with this lack of ice time, he put together a more than respectable Points/60 of 2.6. This was all the while only receiving 103.5 power play minutes on the season. As a comparison, Matthews led the team with 276.4 minutes on the ice during the power play this season. Thus far in the playoffs, Domi’s ice time is up, and he is rewarding Head Coach Sheldon Keefe with his play. He has five hits and four points to this point in round one.
So How Did a Pair of Depth Guys Find themselves on the Leafs Top Line
Both Bertuzzi and Domi had nice seasons for themselves. However, in these playoffs, they have stepped it up a notch. With Matthews being out of the lineup, they have stepped up onto the top line for the Leafs. The line of Bertuzzi, Domi, and Mitch Marner are humming along at 56.3 xGoals%. This total has been achieved as a result of their excellent performances over the past two games. Furthermore, Bertuzzi and Domi having been great at hounding the puck and thus, opening up space for Marner. Marner with his great skating and vision, has been able to take advantage of the extra room on the ice and establish himself as the true playmaker he is.
When the pair of Bertuzzi and Domi were together in the regular season, they endured success as well. They combined with Matthews to play 147.4 minutes together as a line. As a line, they were tops amongst Leaf forwards line with a xGoals% of 65.8. However, Bertuzzi played mostly on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander in the regular season. They played together 363.3 minutes and recorded a dandy rating of 56.5 xGoals%. Whereas Domi would be considered more of a journeymen throughout the Leafs lines. He mostly teamed up with Nick Robertson and Calle Jarnkrok.
Auston Matthews is on the ice for Game 7 morning skate.
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) May 4, 2024
Other Leafs Lineup News and Notes
Speaking of Jarnkrok and the Leafs lineup in general, welcoming him back from injury has helped the Leafs depth. However, it is still unknown on Matthews’ status for game seven, tonight in Boston. Conversely, it is encouraging news that he took part in morning skate. But the question Leaf fans are asking, does it matter? Does the club have a winning strategy figured out without him? You’d have to think a club is far better off with a 69-goal scorer in their lineup than without.
The Leaf lineup has seen turnover in the playoffs. Matthews played the first four games, but hasn’t played since. Nylander missed the first three games with migraines, but has played in the three since. This includes the massive second star performance registering the Leafs lone two goals. Moreover, Jarnkrok had missed over a month previous to the playoffs began, but was ready for April playoff hockey to begin, and has played well throughout the series. Finally, Noah Gregor got into his first action of these playoffs Thursday night. He played tough minutes, but it is uncertain if he draws back in for Saturday night’s contest. Finally, Bobby McMann was on the ice as well this morning, who hadn’t participated in practice throughout the series. Another encouraging sign for the Leafs.
Main photo: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
