"We have to let Max play his game and do what he is good at, but at the same time, he has to change a little bit. I need him to get inside more and shoot more. It can't be all about looking for Matthews or Knies with plays. We need him to make plays, but at the same time, he has to shoot pucks and use his shot."
"It is the first game. We'll get the rust out a little bit, get the timing back, and play simple. I think our game is pretty simple. O is a great puck mover. My job is to get him the puck, right? Retrieving those pucks, being physical, and getting those pucks to him so he can make nice plays and create some offense off of it."
The Maple Leafs are expected to deploy their likely opening-night lineup against the Detroit Red Wings in the penultimate preseason game. Craig Berube wants Max Domi to balance playmaking with more inside play and an increased willingness to shoot, while maintaining defensive responsibility. Simon Benoit returns to regain game speed, restore habits, and focus on simple, physical puck retrieval. Benoit aims to feed puck-moving partner Oliver Ekman-Larsson to generate offense off the wall. Berube tested Benoit on the right side but views positional changes as easily reversible if needed.
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