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Maple Leafs Notebook: Why Nick Robertson is getting scratched again

TORONTO — As the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome back two critical components to their deadly power-play, the Toronto Maple Leafs are countering with Calle Järnkrok.

Coach Craig Berube is inserting the responsible winger for Mondayâ€s key divisional match because he was an extra penalty killer and some defensive prowess on his fourth line.

But Järnkrokâ€s trip down from the press box means someone else must go up.

And that would be Nick Robertson, again.

Robertson enjoyed his best stretch of NHL action last month, producing nicely in the Maple Leafs†top six. First, he got dropped to the fourth line in favour of Easton Cowan and Max Domi.

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What does Berube think of the wingerâ€s play?

“Well, itâ€s dropped off. And I talked to Nicky this morning,†Berube said. “Some of itâ€s ice time, obviously. And he was playing in the top six, and he was doing a good job. And then you make changes.

“But I have all the confidence that heâ€ll get it back. You know, to me, heâ€s lost a little bit of his jump and his tenacity he plays with. But at the same time, thatâ€s a little bit ice time and getting the opportunity.â€

What comes first, the jump or the ice time?

In Robertsonâ€s world, time is a flat circle.

Third-liner Pontus Holmberg was nudged into Scotiabank Arenaâ€s centre ice to lead the Lightningâ€s stretch ahead of his revenge match in Toronto.

“I was ready to come back, actually, but something happened,†Holmberg said afterwards, smiling in the visitors†room. “Right now, Iâ€m happy to be here. Itâ€s a new start for me.â€

GM Brad Treliving opted not to qualify the defensively responsible 26-year-old as a restricted free agent, and the rival Bolts inked him to a two-year deal at $1.55 million per season.

“Wow, I love that kid,†coach Jon Cooper gushes. “The puck, he protects it like you canâ€t take it from him. And so, when you need to kill another teamâ€s momentum, just put it on his stick, and heâ€ll do it all by himself. Heâ€s a competitor. Heâ€s big. Heâ€s strong. And heâ€s a foundation of a really good line for us — that may not score every single night, but they can tilt the ice.â€

The mild-mannered Swedeâ€s English has improved, and Holmberg has quickly endeared himself to his new teammates.

“They had the rookie party,†Cooper said. “I always ask who the MVP is. He might have got some votes.

“I guess they had fun. He was really fun. Heâ€s really fit in well with us, Iâ€ll tell you that.â€

Holmberg says he still stays in touch with some of his old Leafs mates and is enjoying the Florida weather.

“I relax a lot. Walking a little bit more,†he says. “Itâ€s going to be fun to play against them.â€

Maple Leafs make another power-play tweak

Whatâ€s old is new again for the Maple Leafs†infuriating power-play.

In the latest attempt to reverse the fortunes of the leagueâ€s 30th-best man-advantage (14.1 per cent), Berube has gone back to his original PP1 personnel from training camp.

Defenceman Morgan Rielly is back to quarterbacking after runs of Auston Matthews and Oliver Ekman-Larsson up top failed to yield results.

Matthew Knies goes back in for rookie Cowan, who had a shot at being the top unitâ€s facilitator from the flank.

“I went back to this unit. Looking at some video and going back to some numbers and stuff early in the year, these guys were actually pretty good, and they created a lot of opportunities,†Berube explained. “Didnâ€t go in the net. And a lot of times, if it doesnâ€t go in the net, you make changes and go from there. So, that was my reasoning for that.â€Â

How about a more extreme tweak? Blowing the talent-loaded PP1 and creating two balanced units and having them compete for 5-on-4 ice time?

“What you brought up is a valid point, and Iâ€ve definitely thought about it,†Berube conceded.

The coach is not there quite yet, even with the Leafs mustering two power-play goals in their past 11 games.

“Well, confidence is a big thing,†Berube said. “What happens is, itâ€s not going well, and you stop just being direct. You stop shooting, and youâ€re not going to get anything out of it then.

“We got to get back to just simplifying and shooting pucks and being good around the net. Thatâ€s how we did scored last year. Those big guys around the net and getting pucks in there was the DNA of our (24.8 per cent) power-play last year.â€

Lightning lose Vasilevskiy but get double boost of all-stars

Tampaâ€s all-world goaltender, Andrei Vasilevskiy, was moved to injured reserve and has been ruled out for both Monday in Toronto and Tuesday in Montreal.

Just the latest in a long list of injuries that have besieged the Atlantic Division.

Still, Cooper is hopeful that Vasilevskiy could be available later in the road trip, which ends Saturday on Long Island.

In the meantime, the crease belongs to backup Jonas Johansson.

“J.J.â€s been lights out, too,†said Hedman, who only returned from his injury Saturday. “We have full belief in him.â€

Shutdown defenceman Ryan McDonagh skated on his own and without equipment, so he still needs time to recover.

“Thatâ€s a bonus for us,†said Cooper, flashing a grin. Some much welcome health.

“Even through our Cup runs and all that, not since 2017 has this happened to us. And so, thereâ€s a lot of money sitting in the stands. But itâ€s encouraging to see the young guys that have come in and filled the gaps for us.â€

One-Timers: Lefty Dakota Mermis comes in for righty Philippe Myers on the Leafs†third pairing. Berube says Mermis is comfortable playing his off side and he wants to manage both Myers and Mermisâ€s usage…. Chris Tanev continues to skate with the group. Heâ€ll be evaluated again Wednesday…. Despite losing three straight, the Lightning lead the Atlantic Division and are four points up on Toronto…. Hedman: “We havenâ€t seen them without Mitch yet, so thatâ€ll be interesting to see.â€

Maple Leafs projected lineup Monday vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Knies – Matthews – Domi
Cowan – Tavares – Nylander
Joshua – Roy – McMann
Lorentz – Laughton – Järnkrok

Rielly – Ekman-Larsson
McCabe – Stecher
Benoit – Mermis

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Cody Rhodes Believes The Rock Has Only Scratched The Surface Of His ‘Final Boss’ Character

We probably havenâ€t seen the end of the WWE rivalry between Cody Rhodes and The Rock.

The Rock introduced his ‘Final Boss†character on the road to WrestleMania 40. The character has been closely tied to Cody Rhodes. He was last seen on WWE programming at Elimination Chamber, where the infamous John Cena heel turn took place on Rhodes on the road to WrestleMania 41.

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was a recent guest on the ALL THE SMOKE podcast. While discussing the evolution of The Rockâ€s character after the audience turned against the idea of him facing Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, Rhodes put over his ‘Final Boss†character, believing The Rock has only begun to scratch the surface of what this character is capable of.

“He came back to a very tumultuous WWE, a year or so ago, and decided, nope, Iâ€m not gonna deal with that,†Cody Rhodes said. “Iâ€m instead gonna create a new character even though Iâ€m already one of the greatest characters ever, that being The Final Boss… Weâ€ve just scratched the surface on The Final Boss. Thereâ€s something incredibly special there, so The Rock is on my Mount Rushmore.†[H/T: WrestlingNews.co]

Cody Rhodes once again teases retirement

If thereâ€s one thing Cody Rhodes likes to talk about, itâ€s potentially retiring from professional wrestling. Back when he was an EVP in AEW, Rhodes stated he wanted to retire by the time he was 40.

A couple of years later, Rhodes stated that the age of 45 was more likely as he signed a new WWE deal that would extend past his 40th birthday. Now Rhodes is talking about retirement again, teasing that the next WWE contract he signs will be his last. You can read more about that by clicking here.

READ MORE: WWE Talent Announces Engagement

What do you make of Cody Rhodes†comments? Do you think weâ€ll see more of The Rockâ€s ‘Final Boss†character in the future? Let us know your overall thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.

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