The Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Detroit Red Wings tonight in what appears to be a preview of their ideal roster.
Toronto will be playing with their top forwards at home against Detroit in their final game at Scotiabank Arena before the regular season.
Tonight's game will see what has been teased as the Leafs roster for the 2025-26 season, and could make or break what the team is seemingly hoping will be the winning formula for what they want to be.
How the Maple Leafs Are Lining Up Tonight vs Detroit
The Toronto Maple Leafs are going with what is projected to be their opening night roster for the regular season, with what are likely to be their established pairings being on display as a trial tonight.
Confirmed Leafs Lines vs Detroit
Forwards
Knies - Matthews - Domi
McMann - Tavares - Nylander
Maccelli - Roy - Joshua
Lorentz - Laughton - Cowan
Defensemen
McCabe - Tanev
Rielly - Carlo
Ekman-Larsson - Benoit
Goalies
Stolarz (Starter)
Hildeby
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What to Watch For in the Final Preseason Test
One major focus to watch is if Easton Cowan can replicate the success he had on the Leafs fourth line with Steven Lorentz and Scott Laughton.
It was not expected that Cowan would be in such a role in the Leafs lineup, with even him on the roster having been uncertain, but a strong performance so far has brought some legitimacy to him making the roster as a rookie and in a depth role.
Toronto could still send Cowan down to the Marlies to get him top-six minutes as he does not require waivers, but tonight could very well be a test that if all goes well, it could see Cowan surprise by making the Leafs as a rookie.
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Another area to watch is Simon Benoit, making his debut after suffering an upper-body injury during training camp. It will be viewed if Benoit looks ready to go for the regular season, seemingly penciled in at his spot on the third pair, but he'll need to prove it.
Puck drops at 7p.m. EST, with the game streaming on Sportsnet & Sportsnet+ in Canada.