Maple Leafs Announce Significant Line-Up Changes Ahead Of Game Against The Rangers

During Monday's practice, the Maple Leafs forward group got their biggest boost from the return of Auston Matthews to the lineup.

Matthews returned to his first-line center role alongside Matthew Knies and William Nylander. With Matthews back and the top line reunited that means some other lines need to change as well.

Mitch Marner stayed in a second-line role with John Tavares and Tyler Bertuzzi. Max Domi slides back down into the bottom six along with Nick Robertson and Calle Jarnkrok a familiar trio from previous games.

Noah Gregor, Bobby McMann, and David Kampf round out the forwards expected to play on Tuesday against the Rangers.

While the forwards mostly saw change due to the return of Auston Matthews the Maple Leafs' defensive unit saw more major changes as well.

During practice, the most thrown-in-a-blender part of the Maple Leafs lineup was the defensive corps.

With TJ Brodie still out with the flu that has ravaged the team others are getting opportunities. The biggest surprise is Simon Benoit being promoted to the top pairing with Morgan Rielly. Some believe this could be just a placeholder until Brodie can be cleared or ruled out.

Then the second pair sees Jake McCabe return to his more natural left side along with Timothy Liljegren. Liljegren returned recently from a long-term absence due to an ankle sprain. Finally, the third pair sees William Lagesson paired with Connor Timmins. The two will likely play the least amount of minutes and hopefully be able to get by.

If TJ Brodie is in fact out next game the Maple Leafs have some big decisions to make regarding who they think can handle top pair minutes alongside Morgan Rielly.