Craig Berube Confirms Controversial Lineup Change For Saturday's Game Against Seattle

Coming off a thrilling 2-1 overtime win on Thursday, the Leafs had a very brief practice on Friday, where they changed things around a little bit in the absence of their captain.

In the 20-minute practice, without Auston Matthews, who had a maintenance day, Berube committed to a change for Saturday's game.

Amid the return of Lorentz to the lineup, the Leafs' bench boss introduced a new fourth line.

Lorentz took reps alongside Dakota Joshua and Nicolas Roy in his return to practice, while Calle Jarnkrok was a place-holder for Matthews.

With Jarnkrok taking reps on the first line, there was speculation that one of the Leafs' most productive forwards to begin the season would find himself in the press box on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday morning, Berube confirmed that Jarnkrok would be replaced by Lorentz against the Seattle Kraken.

When asked why, Berube simply stated that it was a 'numbers game' and 'nothing more'.

The 34-year-old Jarnkrok has 3 goals in the Leafs' first five games and looks revitalized after a trying, injury-filled 2024-2025 season.

Scratching Jarnkrok was met with lots of questions by fans of the Leafs, predominantly asking why someone like Joshua or Nick Robertson shouldn't come out instead -- both of whom have only one assist each through five games.

Given it is the Leafs' fourth game in six days and Jarnkrok's injury history, however, it makes sense to give the veteran a game off against a lesser opponent in the Kraken.