Canucks vs. Maple Leafs - Mar. 4th, 7:00pm - SN, Fan 590

[cw]

I sense these six have been configured for Tampa:
Rielly-Schenn
McCabe-Brodie
Giordano-Holl

This is basically what the Leafs ran against Tampa last year. Schenn replaces Lyubushkin, McCabe replaces Muzzin.

The Rielly-Lyubushkin pairing struggled last season, Bush definitely played higher than he should. The Muzzin-Brodie pair was basically rock solid. Giordano started with Liljegren but Lily lost his spot after 2 games and was replaced by Holl who ended up having a pretty good series.

I think the grouping you sense happening has the same issue as last season: Rielly can't carry a #6 defencemen while handling top-4 responsibilities. The way I see it, they need to try McCabe and Brodie on seperate pairings and have each of them be the defensive conscience of their duo. So something more like:

Rielly-Brodie
McCabe-Holl/Liljegren
Giordano-Holl/Liljegren/Schenn

All good points.

Schenn has done well to revive his career in a league that got faster.
They must feel Rielly needs someone physical like that (like Lyubushkin was last year).
Even though it would just be ES minutes, I have my doubts about Schenn playing there.
The 5-6 pairing is more likely his peak. He is vulnerable to speed.

I worry they're getting so psyched on beating Tampa, that if they do, they'll go "now what?" and sort of fold.

Like you, I think this will work regardless of who plays with Giordano
Giordano-Holl/Liljegren/Schenn

There was some talk of McCabe playing on Rielly's right side. I don't know if that is truly worthy of consideration.
Rielly-McCabe
Brodie-Liljegren (not sure about this pairing either ..)
Giordano-Holl/Schenn

They have 9 plus 2 NHL dmen and I do not feel like we have an embarrassment of riches. It's more like a Rubrics cube where I can't get the colors to line up.
Hopefully, they figure out what is best and it solves the problems they were hoping to.

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

If there's this much debate about Rielly's partner maybe Rielly should be playing 3rd pair minutes and do his PP thing.

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

Cree and Punjabi broadcasts.  Don't ever let anyone tell you guys that Canada isn't cool.

[herman]

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1632165158905847808

[Guilt Trip]

Love McCabe already

[Bender]

Entertaining watching dudes bounce off Schenn.

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

That looked like a Chara-like shot to the near-head.

[azzurri63]

Jesus

[L K]

The ref show in full effect

[Bender]

That was such a weak call

[azzurri63]

That was such a weak call

Shit like this that has me less interested in the league.

[Guilt Trip]

Schenn keeps this up and Liljegren will be in tough to get back in lol.

And Willy sucks lol....get the puck up

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

No five hole from Demko there.

[L K]

Nylander with a breakaway.  Slash/hook in the arm not called

[azzurri63]

Nylander all you had to do was elevate.