Maple Leafs place Nicolas Roy on injured reserve as Scott Laughton returns to the lineup

Forward Nicolas Roy was placed on IR as fellow forward Scott Laughton slots back into the Leafs lineup tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Leafs announced.

Laughton, 31, returns after being injured earlier in the month in a game against the Boston Bruins, Laughton's second game of the season after missing the preseason due to an injury.

Laughton took part in a pre-practice skate alongside captain Auston Matthews, who is also currently injured, although Matthews isn't playing against Columbus.

In his third game of the season, Laughton begins the road to showcasing his effectiveness for the Leafs, with Toronto having paid a first rounder to Philadelphia to acquire him last season.

Returning tonight, Laughton slots into the third line for Toronto in his return, reuniting with the Leafs successful preseason line of Easton Cowan and Steven Lorentz.

Laughton takes Roy's spot on the third line at centre, with Toronto having made changes to the bottom-six, including Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli on the fourth line.

With Laughton slotting into the third line centre role, Jacob Quillan, who made his Leafs season debut at that spot, was moved down to the fourth line alongside Joshua and Maccelli.

Toronto also made moves on their top-six, bringing Calle Jarnkrok up onto the first line to join John Tavares and William Nylander on a top unit that is without two of their usual forwards in Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.

Jarnkrok will also feature on the Leafs power play in a tinkering of the lineup and special teams without Matthews and Knies available.

Toronto also moved Nick Robertson to the Leafs second line with Max Domi and Bobby McMann.