Toronto Maple Leafs: Kadri’s suspension puts their depth to the test

After crosschecking Jake DeBrusk in the head, Nazem Kadri got suspended for the rest of the series which will put the Toronto Maple Leafs’ depth to the test.

After getting John Tavares in the summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs became one of the deepest offensive teams in the league. A center core of John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Nazem Kadri, and Frederik Gauthier is incredible and their talents shone in Game 1 against the Boston Bruins.

However, in Game 2, the referees put their whistles away and let many penalties go. The result was a slugfest on ice and Kadri topped the night off with a crosscheck to the head of Jake Debrusk. He’s been suspended for the rest of the Bruins playoff series which is a massive blow to the Leafs’ center core.

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With so much being made about the Leafs’ offensive depth, they were put to the test last night in Game 3 against the Bruins. Mike Babcock shifted William Nylander to center, flanked by Connor Brown and Patrick Marleau, and Tyler Ennis played his first playoff game of the season with Gauthier and Trevor Moore.

The result was yet another strong performance by the Maple Leafs as they won the game 3-2. Andreas Johnsson, Auston Matthews and Trevor Moore scored for the Leafs and the fourth line continued to hem the Bruins in their own zone.

As for Nylander at center, his faceoff percentage in three games in the playoffs has been 70%. Plus, the combination of his own goal in Game 2 and added responsibility with the Kadri suspension has propelled him to play his best hockey. He’s ready to prove himself and when Nylander is trying, not many players can stop him.

In Game 3, he was much more involved and got pucks back to continue the Leafs’ cycle. If he was in the defensive zone, he wasn’t there for long as he carried the puck out of danger with his skating, without making any reckless plays. This is the Nylander the Leafs’ signed and if he continues to play this way, the Leafs should be able to get by without Kadri.

The Tavares line has done a great job of silencing Patrice Bergeron and his wingers. After that, the Leafs lines 2-4, even without Nazem Kadri, are still better than the Bruins’. As long as the Leafs can continue to keep up their intensity and Frederik Andersen stands tall, the Maple Leafs will take this series.

For more 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage, check out our Stanley Cup Playoffs page.