Maple Leafs celebrate Auston Matthews' return with experimental Power Play unit
Photo credit: CTV News Toronto
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will be back in the lineup against the Tampa Bay Lightning and this will likely lead to a fresh new Power Play unit.
Overall, the Maple Leafs have been playing without Matthews' services for the last nine games now, although they boast a record of 7-2 during that time.
This morning, Matthews confirmed to reporters that he will play tomorrow night, and this has a whole lot of fans extremely excited.
He was playing alongside Matthew Knies and William Nylander, although it remains to be seen whether or not this will be the first line or the second line.
Whatever the case may be, Matthews was also getting time on the Power Play unit, which had a unique twist to it.
On the first unit, the team went with five forwards and not a single defenseman.
Maple Leafs go five forwards on the Power Play, including Auston Matthews
The five players on the Power Play unit are none other than Matthews, Nylander, Knies, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares.
This is a whole lot of firepower and will surely put some fear into the hearts of the Lightning Penalty Kill unit.
To start the season, the Maple Leafs had one of the worst Power Play's in the entire NHL and fans were livid given this team's natural firepower.
However, since that time, the Leafs have gotten themselves to 16th in the league with a respectable Power Play percentage of 20.3 percent.
However, since that time, the Leafs have gotten themselves to 16th in the league with a respectable Power Play percentage of 20.3 percent.
Five forwards is an interesting strategy and it should be interesting to see it all in action.
After all, the team is taking its five best forwards and telling them all to let loose.
The Leafs will look to bounce back after a harsh loss to the Florida Panthers by a score of 5-1.
Despite the loss, the Leafs remain atop the Atlantic Division with a record of 13-7-2.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 29 | 146 ANSWERS Maple Leafs celebrate Auston Matthews' return with experimental Power Play unit Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs should be going five forwards on the Power Play? | ||
| YES | 83 | 56.8 % |
| NO | 63 | 43.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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