Tuesday’s practice lines with Jerred Smithson in the fold:
Lines: Leafs Practice, November 7, 2013.
Leafs Lineup Left Wing Center Right Wing Lupul JvR Kessel Raymond Kadri Clarkson Bodie McClement Kulemin McLaren Smithson Orr Left Defense Right Defense Phaneuf Gunnarsson Gardiner Franson Fraser Ranger Rielly
On defence, Gardiner-Franson has been reunited with Gardiner moving back to his natural left, while the returning Mark Fraser joined Paul Ranger on the bottom pair. Gardiner-Franson was the team’s second pairing in the playoffs and the tandem was really effective at moving the puck against the Bruins. Franson was playing better defence in the playoffs than he has been in recent games, but his ability to take care of business in the defensive zone and make a D-to-D pass over to Gardiner to orchestrate the breakout seemed to be an effective combination; and once on the offensive zone blueline, this is a really dangerous pairing. Let’s hope Gardiner’s presence helps Franson settle in as Rielly-Franson was an up-and-down pairing.
Carlyle inferred that Gardiner felt uncomfortable playing the right side (13 games), hence the switch back to natural side with Franson.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonasTSN1050) November 7, 2013
The suggestion based on the practice pairs is that Morgan Rielly will sit tomorrow night against the Devils.
Smithson interviews after Thursday practice:
