Maple Leafs' Projected Opening Night Lineup Revealed Ahead of Season Opener vs Canadiens
Photo credit: Hockey Patrol
With the Toronto Maple Leafs set to take on the Montreal Canadiens in their season debut, let's take a look at who Craig Berube is going to put on the ice.
The time has finally come for the new look Toronto Maple Leafs to take the ice for the first time in the regular season against their most heated rivals the Montreal Canadiens.
It's the first time without Mitch Marner, and the slew of new faces that are coming in get their first chance to make an impact like Matias Maccelli and Nicolas Roy and it's an exciting time for Maple Leafs fans.
Key Changes From the Toronto Maple Leafs Preseason Lineup
Here's how Craig Berube and the Maple Leafs are expected to line up tonight as they kickoff the 2025-26 NHL season against Montreal:
Knies - Matthews - Maccelli
McMann - Tavares - Nylander
Joshua - Domi - Robertson
Lorentz - Roy - Jarnkrok
Blais
McMann - Tavares - Nylander
Joshua - Domi - Robertson
Lorentz - Roy - Jarnkrok
Blais
McCabe - Tanev
Rielly - Carlo
Benoit - Ekman-Larsson
Myers
Rielly - Carlo
Benoit - Ekman-Larsson
Myers
Stolarz
Primeau
Primeau
The lineup is going to have the standard fare, though with Scott Laughton out it's Max Domi putting a pause on his top line duties to help out on the third line.
That means Matias Maccelli gets ample opportunity to make a splash and could be a huge part in getting Auston Matthews off on the right foot to start the season.
One notable absence is that of Easton Cowan, who was called up to the team earlier in the day for Jacob Quillan, but instead will join Philippe Myers in the press box while veteran forward Sammy Blais is the extra in case of emergency.
What to Watch For in Tonight's Season Opener vs. the Canadiens
First and foremost, be on the lookout for a highly motivated Auston Matthews, who is going to need to lead by example and a hot start is the best way to do so. We saw him look much better in the preseason, so expect him to fire away all night.
Anthony Stolarz will get the start while waiver pickup Cayden Primeau is backing him up. The veteran goaltender who just signed a four-year extension will get a chance for redemption after a rough preseason.
With Joseph Woll out indefinitely, it's going to be even more important that Stolarz is able to hold down the fort, though having Primeau as a backup over Dennis Hildeby should stop any potential bleeding.
Also be on the watch for how Toronto's power play works, as the new lines have the chance to really be impactful especially if Morgan Rielly can bounce back:
Toronto faces off against Montreal tonight at the Scotiabank Arena. Game time is scheduled for 7PM ET.
For those interested in watching the game, it will be broadcast in Canada on Sportsnet and TVA Sports (Quebec) as well as ESPN+ in the United States.
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