Komarov out, Plekanec promoted as Leafs face pivotal Game 3
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock is shaking things up down the middle for a pivotal Game 3 against the Boston Bruins.
Winless in the series and without Nazem Kadri (suspension) and Leo Komarov (injury), Babcock's decided to insert Dominic Moore as the fourth-line center and bump Tomas Plekanec to the second line.
Komarov suffered a lower-body injury in Game 2, and Babcock offered an update on his status Monday:
Mike Babcock's update on Leo Komarov: "He’s going to skate tomorrow. He was going to skate today , but we have two days [off before Game 4], so we kept him off. He’s not playing today, he’ll skate tomorrow and then skate the following day and he’ll be a game-time decision."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) April 16, 2018
Here's how the forward units looked at the morning skate, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton:
- Zach Hyman - Auston Matthews - William Nylander
- Patrick Marleau - Plekanec - Mitch Marner
- James van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - Connor Brown
- Andreas Johnsson - Moore - Kasperi Kapanen
Plekanec is very familiar with Patrice Bergeron after many battles during his time in Montreal, and perhaps Babcock is counting on the former Canadien to help shut down Boston's formidable top line.
Tomas Plekanec faced Patrice Bergeron for 19:28 at 5v5 in the regular season. The Bruins scored one goal in that time. The Canadiens didn't score any, but, you know. (via @NatStatTrick) https://t.co/Hm0rHD4vz9
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) April 16, 2018
In 19 games with the Leafs, Plekanec has recorded two assists.