Maple Leafs Make Lineup Changes vs Ducks

The Toronto Maple Leafs look to continue to roll in California as they've turned their road trip into a business trip, winning in Los Angeles and San Jose. Tonight in Anaheim, the Ducks await and the Leafs will have a couple of fresh faces in the lineup.

Both Kyle Clifford and Travis Dermott will be inserted into the lineup while Kirill Semyonov and Timothy Liljegren will be suited up in the suite for puck drop. 

Clifford makes his re-debut for the Maple Leafs as the Ayr, Ontario native looks to make an impact early on. Look for the rugged winger to take the body as much as possible and make the simple plays. He gives Toronto some more depth and doesn't cost a ton so it's a smart short-term commitment for the Leafs. 

Dermott on the other hand has been looking forward to getting back in. The mobile defenseman has found himself the odd man out more times than others once the team started to rotate seven defensemen. Liljegren and Justin Holl have both found themselves scratched at times and all three d-men bring different elements to the team. It's no secret the team has held trade talks that included Holl and Dermott so there's always more attention than you'd think on the Leafs seventh d-spot.

Toronto has become one of the best teams defensively after all the running jokes about how they were all offense. Goaltender Jack Campbell leads the league in save percentage and his 11 wins sits in a tie for top spot. Add in the newfound shut-down penalty kill which is ranked seventh in the NHL and the Maple Leafs are becoming a much more balanced hockey club. Childhood best buddies Ondrej Kase and David Kampf are have made a massive impact. The two have formed two-thirds of the third-line and have accepted their roles on the team perfectly. 

A Maple Leafs article and all without any names of the core, sign of the times in Toronto. The Leafs are a close knit group and their head coach Sheldon Keefe thinks morale is at an all-time high. And that's coming from a head coach who owns a 77-35-13 record in 125 games. That is the most wins through the first 125 games as Maple Leafs head coach in franchise history.

Leafs vs the Ducks on Sunday night as they'll be in tough to beat Anaheim netminder John Gibson. Should be a great night for Team USA hockey as Campbell is now in the conversation to be the third goalie after a blazing start in 2021-22. Expect to see Clifford keep it simple and Dermott to get involved in the rush. The California business trip continues, two more points on the line. 

Photo credit:  Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports