Faced with another tough challenge in the opposition’s net tonight (Igor Shesterkin), the final 40 minutes against the Islanders in which the Leafs lit up Ilya Sorokin for five goals were enough to convince Sheldon Keefe to stick by Auston Matthews – Mitch Marner / John Tavares – William Nylander combinations as well as his defense pairings from the final two periods in Morgan Rielly – Justin Holl / Mark Giordano – Timothy Liljegren. Conor Timmins will take a seat in favour of Jordie Benn, who will partner up with Rasmus Sandin.
Keefe is also lighting a fire under the bottom six both by keeping Bobby McMann in the lineup and inserting the called-up Joey Anderson in the place of the veteran Zach Aston-Reese:
We just think Joey did a good job when he was there.