Maple Leafs projected lineup vs. Canadiens for Hockey Night in Canada
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Hockey Night in Canada is back on Saturday night with a classic matchup between the Canadiens and Maple Leafs, so let's see how the lineup projects to look for Toronto and head coach Craig Berube.
Coming off a tough 3-2 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, Toronto will look to rebound against Original Six rivals Montreal on Saturday night and can gain a crucial two points to leap the Canadiens in the standings albeit tied on points.
However the team is still dealing with several injuries, and their lineup is still going to have to pick up the slack until the big names are healthier.
So did Craig Berube think of making any big changes coming off a loss?
What today's practice lines tell us about the Maple Leafs' plan for Canadiens vs Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada
From the looks of the projected lineups in practice, Berube doesn't want to mess with anything even after Thursday:
William Nylander - John Tavares - Calle Jarnkrok
Bobby McMann - Max Domi - Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz - Scott Laughton - Easton Cowan
Dakota Joshua - Jacob Quillan - Matias Maccelli
Bobby McMann - Max Domi - Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz - Scott Laughton - Easton Cowan
Dakota Joshua - Jacob Quillan - Matias Maccelli
Extras: Matthew Knies, Auston Matthews, Sammy Blais
Morgan Rielly - Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Simon Benoit - Jake McCabe
Dakota Mermis - Troy Stecher
Simon Benoit - Jake McCabe
Dakota Mermis - Troy Stecher
Extras: Philippe Myers
Joseph Woll
Dennis Hildeby
Dennis Hildeby
Toronto is still reeling from their injured players, although it was a massive boost to their confidence to see both Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies back on the ice.
There's no timeline for their return which means it's going to be up to the rest of the supporting cast to pick it up; but thankfully they'll have support.
John Tavares and William Nylander have been on a roll lately, and with Easton Cowan looking more comfortable, he's slowly picked things up and the offense is coming along.
But guys like Max Domi and Matias Maccelli need to start producing and can't keep making the same mistakes or they may end up riding the bench for a game or two.
Also Joseph Woll has been very solid since returning, posting a 1-1-1 record with a 2.57 GAA and .912 SV% and has held the Maple Leafs in games they may have otherwise let slip away.
Luckily for Toronto, they aren't the only team dealing with injuries, as Montreal has their fair share, so the Maple Leafs have a chance to capitalize if they are able to get production from everyone.
Only two points separate the teams in the standings and Toronto would leap the Habs with a win given they have more regulation victories.
But that can only happen if everyone involved produces and plays to the best of their ability, because the team can't afford a lacklustre effort after such a strong week -- if you don't look at the results.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 21|1191 ANSWERS Maple Leafs projected lineup vs. Canadiens for Hockey Night in Canada Who has the lineup advantage between Toronto and Montreal? | ||
| Toronto | 234 | 19.6 % |
| Montreal | 957 | 80.4 % |
| List of polls | ||