As Toronto Maple Leafs superstar center Auston Matthews closes in on the 70-goal mark, Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe has bigger things in mind – namely, figuring out which players will make Matthews the most potent Leafs performers once the Stanley Cup playoffs begin. The Buds have three regular-season games left to play, and in that time, it will become clear what Matthews’ line will look like, at least to begin the post-season. Let’s look at the candidates to be Matthews’ linemates and figure out what’s likely to happen for the Leafs come playoff time. These are the players many will expect to see playing on Matthews’ wings in the playoffs: 1. MAX DOMI Domi has improved a lot for the Leafs as the season has unfolded, and Keefe’s use of him as the primary playmaker for Matthews has yielded excellent results. Domi is always thinking pass-first, occasionally to his detriment as an individual competitor, but he’s crafty, skilled and tough enough to break into offensive zones to set up Matthews in high-quality scoring chances. Domi has averaged just 13:45 of ice time per game in 79 games, but that number will likely increase in the first round. He’s earned himself a new Leafs contract this summer – he’s only on a one-year deal at the moment – and a stellar playoff will earn him a raise on the $3-million salary he’s making this season. He looks mighty comfortable knowing Matthews will be the elite play-finisher on a Domi-Matthews line2. TYLER BERTUZZI The other fixture on Matthews’ line of late is veteran sandpaper force Bertuzzi, who has been the guy tasked with going into opponents’ corners, providing a physical edge and being a dangerous secondary scoring option after Matthews. Bertuzzi’s 21 goals this season have mostly come in the second half of the year, and as a result, he’s looking extremely confident at the moment. Bertuzzi is also playing for a new contract this summer, and as long as he’s not looking for a major bump in pay, the Leafs should find a way to get his signature on a long-term extension. He was a major-league playoff performer with the Boston Bruins last spring. If he can do the same thing this time, Toronto GM Brad Treliving will be more than willing to keep him around for years3. MITCH MARNER Matthews’ most familiar linemate over his Leafs career has been Marner, the team’s most talented assist man and someone who also can put the puck in the net when Matthews is being defended capably by an opponent. That said, Keefe has moved away from putting Matthews and Marner on the same line this season, bumping Marner down to Toronto’s second line with center John Tavares and winger Bobby McMann. That’s not a demotion, though – Marner and Matthews are always going to play together on the first power play unitIf the Leafs’ offense does struggle in the first round, it’s not only possible but probable that Matthews and Marner will be put back together on the same line. The duo’s creativity is unsurpassed, and putting them on the same line will be too tempting for Keefe to resist. They may not begin the playoffs on the same line, but that easily could change. 4. MATTHEW KNIES As a talented rookie, Knies has enjoyed a strong first full season as a Leaf, generating 15 goals in 77 games. The 21-year-old winger also had an impressive first NHL playoff experience last year, posting three assists and four points in seven games. He’s skated with Matthews many times this season. Although he’s currently on Toronto’s fourth line, Knies has the skills and determination to be turned to by Keefe if Domi and Bertuzzi don’t produce great results alongside Matthews in the first round. Call the Matthews and Knies the “Arizona Connection” if you want, but don’t convince yourself Knies isn’t going to be a big part of the Leafs’ playoff plans. He can be a difference-maker in the offensive zone corners and as a net-front presence. Matthews will benefit from the increased amount of ice space and time that will come if the focus is on Knies. He won’t be the first option to play on a line with Matthews, but Knies is in good stead with Keefe, and he could prove to be prominent near the top of Toronto’s forward lines
