Maple Leafs should not hesitate to dress Ryan Reaves in Game 2 after Panthers' playstyle in series opener

The Toronto Maple Leafs should dress enforcer Ryan Reaves in Game 2 towards the Florida Panthers.

This assertion is not supposed to be a gimmick to entice consideration. It’s a sensible necessity following the Panthers’ “bodily” fashion of play proven in Game 1 on Monday evening at Scotiabank Enviornment.

Particularly, the play in which Sam Bennett laid a grimy hit on netminder Anthony Stolarz is a first-rate instance of how the Panthers are unafraid to resort to less-than-sportsmanlike play to counteract the Maple Leafs’ well-rounded group.

Right here’s a take a look at Bennett’s hit on Stolarz:

The scenario warranted speedy retaliation from somebody prepared to drop the gloves to defend their goalie.

However because it stands, the Leafs don’t have the kind of participant that may go toe-to-toe with notable agitators like Bennett, Matthew Tkachuk, and infamous pest Brad Marchand.

Getting Ryan Reaves into the lineup solves that scenario. Reaves is the kind of participant who can come into the lineup and drop the gloves if want be. Furthermore, his presence calls for respect from the opposition.

Whereas the Leafs have loads of robust prospects on the group, none of them evaluate to Reaves. With out Reaves, the Maple Leafs lack a pugnacious ingredient that may pushback in conditions comparable to this one.

Making a case for the Maple Leafs to insert Ryan Reaves into lineup towards Panthers

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Sadly for Ryan Reaves, he turned expendable this season as his lack of offensive upside pushed him additional down the Maple Leafs’ depth chart.

The group positioned Reaves on waivers in early March this 12 months to clear a roster spot for incoming gamers acquired on the commerce deadline.

Reaves performed in three video games for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies after clearing waivers. Nonetheless, the Leafs recalled Reaves to the large membership as soon as the playoffs started and the wage was now not a difficulty. That scenario signifies that Reaves might be inserted into the lineup if want be.

If Craig Berube chooses to dress Reaves, it could have to be on the fourth line with Scott Laughton at middle. Nonetheless, doing so can be on the expense of both Calle Jarnkrok or Steve Lorentz.

The likeliest casualty can be Lorentz as Jarnkrok is a invaluable piece. Furthermore, inserting Reaves would imply shortening the Leafs’ bench as the sport wears on, doubtlessly dropping a whole line.

Maybe Berube inserts Ryan Reaves in Game 2 simply to ship a message to the Panthers, leaving him off the ice for the remainder of the series. However given the best way issues are going, getting Reaves on the ice might be a strong choice to take into account for the rest of the series.