Maple Leafs projected lineup for tonight as William Nylander returns
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Ahead of Saturday night's game against the Vancouver Canucks, the Maple Leafs will have a bit of a new lineup as William Nylander returns after two weeks away.
It's going to be a different looking lineup for Craig Berube as he tries to continue steering the Toronto Maple Leafs in the right direction, as on Saturday he will get his leading scorer William Nylander back after suffering an injury on Dec. 27:
Nylander was injured vs. Ottawa after taking a hit to the leg and leaving the game shortly after. He was listed as day-to-day however that extended 10 days into January.
How Toronto is set to line up vs. Vancouver
But Toronto has been rolling lately, going 6-0-2 in their last eight games and it's a wonder where Nylander fits in given they have had so much chemistry.
Well, they made some big changes that could end up paying off; or backfiring spectacularly:
Knies - Matthews - Domi
Maccelli - Tavares - Nylander
Cowan - Roy - Robertson
McMann - Laughton - Lorentz
Maccelli - Tavares - Nylander
Cowan - Roy - Robertson
McMann - Laughton - Lorentz
Rielly - Carlo
McCabe - OEL
Benoit - Stecher
McCabe - OEL
Benoit - Stecher
Woll
Berube is splitting up the fairly successful line of McMann, Matthews and Domi in order to move Matthew Knies back up yet keep Matias Maccelli on the second line.
While Maccelli has been good, so too has McMann and he's been lighting it up recently. While we could see more playing time for him given that he's next to the red-hot Scott Laughton it might be a bit disheartening for the forward.
It should also be noted that while he isn't listed in the lineup, Jake McCabe was at practice and took part in drills which would signal his return; potentially in place of Benoit:
Joseph Woll gets the start for Toronto and will look to build off his 4-1 win over the Panthers and give the Maple Leafs every chance to win against the woeful Canucks.
It may be a different lineup for Craig Berube but if he can get the team's rhythm going early and Nylander can come back refreshed and motivated, then it could be a great night for Toronto.
But they can't take any game for granted, and need to keep the foot on the gas regardless of who is or isn't in the lineup.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Maple Leafs make roster move to open space for William Nylander
Maple Leafs make roster move to open space for William Nylander