Toronto Maple Leafs announce official lineups for preseason game vs. the Montreal Canadiens

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Chris Gerics
September 28, 2024 (7:10 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially announced the lines that will be taking the ice for their preseason game against he Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs take the ice against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night, they are looking to build off the momentum of their first preseason win against the Canadiens on Thursday. With questions surrounding the injuries the Maple Leafs dealing with several injuries including John Tavares and Auston Matthews how will the Maple Leafs lineup? Earlier on the Maple Leafs preseason game roster was revealed and now the official lines have been announced.

Per LeafsLatest on X, the Maple Leafs will line up accordingly:

This was confirmed by the club as well on X:

The first line is the NHL-caliber line, the one with solidified roster members just looking to gain a bit more chemistry before the regular season opens up. Knies lining up with Holmberg and Robertson allows Knies to lead by example and use what he's learnt on the first line to help drive the offense; Robertson is looking to keep on scoring even though the spotlight will be on him due to his unnecessary push to William Nylander which caused his injury and will look to prove the critics wrong that it was all a part of Robertson trying to use his unique offense to spark something. Holmberg gains some chops at center while he gains some more ice time, as the youngster is projected to play 4th line minutes for most of the season.

The second line brings Easton Cowan (the only Leaf to suit up in every game so far) on a line with PTO signee Steven Lorentz who looks to be recovered from his injury, as well as Alex Nylander; William's brother who is looking to regain the spark of an NHL career that hasn't truly taken off yet. The following third and fourth lines are going to be filled with AHLers and fringe contenders to make the team; namely Nikita Grebenkin; who fired up Leafs fans in the first game against Ottawa but has been quiet since.

The defense will be helmed by depth defender Timmins and AHLer Marshall Rifai, who has quietly made a name for himself as a steady defender for Toronto in the short time he's been on the ice. Simon Benoit skates on the second pairing as he tries to get some more reps under his belt after missing the start of camp due to the birth of his child earlier this September. Surprisingly, Topi Niemala finds himself as the 7th defender tonight; it could have been argued with a strong camp he could be on the main squad.

Denis Hildeby will man the crease tonight and will do so on his own; Berube and the Maple Leafs want to see him against NHLers to see how improved he is, though one would think the team would deploy prospect Artur Akhtyamov in case of emergency. It will be a big test for the towering Swede as he will be the de facto #1 for the Toronto Marlies and coming off a strong camp is critical for the start of the season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens face off tonight at 7pm. We will update you as any news or breaking information develops during the game.