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

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

Particularly, the play in which Sam Bennett laid a unclean hit on netminder Anthony Stolarz is a main 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 have a look at Bennett’s hit on Stolarz:

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

However because it stands, the Leafs don’t have the type 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 resembling this one.

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

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Sadly for Ryan Reaves, he grew to become 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 yr 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. Nevertheless, the Leafs recalled Reaves to the massive membership as soon as the playoffs started and the wage was now not a problem. That scenario signifies that Reaves may very well be inserted into the lineup if want be.

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

The likeliest casualty can be Lorentz as Jarnkrok is a useful piece. Furthermore, inserting Reaves would imply shortening the Leafs’ bench as the sport wears on, doubtlessly shedding 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 may very well be a stable choice to think about for the rest of the series.