New Look Emerging for the Maple Leafs With Multiple Lineup Changes

The Leafs will be debuting some new lines, both on offense and defense, as Toronto looks to get back on course following a disappointing 3-3-1 start that has seen the team struggle to be the powerhouse expected of them.

This shifting of the lines is meant to strike a new chord and clean up the Leafs lines with one's that are performing at their best, with the one major move being to get Auston Matthews going.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a new look offense, one that they hope will be the solution to a few of the problems they've been having early in the season.

Leasing the Leafs changes is William Nylander being moved up onto the first line next to Auston Matthews, with Bobby McMann taking Matthew Knies' spot on the left wing.

Knies was dropped down to the Leafs second line alongside John Tavares and Matias Maccelli, as McMann and Nylander are kept together in what has been a strong stretch of early games for the two.

With Nylander leading the NHL in assists with 11 and tops for the Leafs in points with 13, they are banking on Nylander being able to replicate those numbers next to Auston Matthews, who is in need of a playmaker that can feed him goals as he looks to be his old self again injury-free.

Max Domi was dropped to the Leafs fourth line, a move that is meant to have Domi play down at center and bring some production to their depth, but after being a first liner against the Devils, it's a question over what Domi's value is to Toronto right now.

Easton Cowan is on the third line with Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua, a trio of newcomers that will need to present some offense in that role, essential to lead Toronto's bottom-six scoring options.

The Leafs blueline has been dealt with two major injury issues that are impacting their outlook as of right now.

Chris Tanev was injured against New Jersey, and as feared, will indeed be missing time, out at least a week after being placed on inured reserve by Toronto, with Dakota Mermis up in his place.

On top of that, Morgan Rielly was not involved in practice for Toronto, with Mermis taking his place next to Brandon Carlo. According to Craig Berube, Rielly is dealing with an injury problem and it's unclear if he will play tomorrow vs Buffalo.

For the power play, the Leafs are going with their four man group of Matthews, Nylander, Tavares, & Knies, with Oliver Ekman-Larsson leading the Leafs defense. Cowan slots in on the power play with Nick Robertson a healthy scratch.

Anthony Stolarz practiced as the Leafs starter, indicated he may be Toronto's netminder against Buffalo, his fourth consecutive game as the Leafs goalie, with Cayden Primeau having last played October 14th against Nashville.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will have a fully refurbished look against Buffalo that will hope to spark the team's offense, and seem them finally play the team's desired defensive play style, albeit, with a few absences having to be navigated in the process.