Positive Sign for the Maple Leafs as Three Forwards Return to the Ice Ahead of Penguins Game
Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs got some key reinforcements back on Monday as practice saw the return of William Nylander, Scott Laughton, and Steven Lorentz ahead of their game against Pittsburgh.
Coming into Monday's game against the red-hot Penguins, the Maple Leafs are going to be looking a lot like they would have at the beginning of the year, as their morning practice saw the return of three key players.
William Nylander, Scott Laughton, and Steven Lorentz were all seen skating at practice, in a massive boost to the team's hopes of getting healthy, and a positive note after Chris Tanev's injury scare.
Nylander had missed three of his last four games after suffering an unknown injury against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 24, and though was seen in warmups, was scratched before puck drop and had been a game-time decision ever since.
Laughton has been out since the beginning of the season after blocking a shot in the final game of the preseason, and has finally got himself healthy enough not only to practice, but finally see game-time.
Lorentz was injured on Oct. 29th after crashing head-first into the boards in Toronto's 6-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, and was clearly shaken up and took time off.
How Nylander, Laughton, and Lorentz Could Shake Up the Maple Leafs' Lines Tonight
Well considering the team might be getting three big names back into the lineup that means some others are going to have to shift, although with how some have been playing like Nick Robertson and Sammy Blais; it'll be hard to take them out.
But the lines at practice certainly brought a new look to things with the returns:
Knies - Matthews - Robertson
Cowan - Tavares - Nylander
Joshua - Roy - Maccelli
Blais - Domi - Jarnkrok
Extras: McMann, Laughton, Lorentz
Cowan - Tavares - Nylander
Joshua - Roy - Maccelli
Blais - Domi - Jarnkrok
Extras: McMann, Laughton, Lorentz
Rielly - Carlo
Benoit - McCabe
OEL - Myers
Extras: Mermis
Benoit - McCabe
OEL - Myers
Extras: Mermis
Stolarz
Primeau
Woll
Primeau
Woll
We see Nylander on his line with John Tavares however gets a brand new running mate with Easton Cowan, and with how well he played with Tavares on Saturday, it could lead to something special.
Bobby McMann is the odd man out, as he probably should be having gone pointless in his last eight games and needing some type of reset.
While Lorentz and Laughton's status for the game is not confirmed, if they were to enter the game then we might see Calle Jarnkrok and probably Blais exit the lineup at that point.
If they were to come back tonight, it would give Toronto a lineup that they would have loved to put out at the beginning of the year, and one that could do damage once again:
Knies - Matthews - Robertson
Cowan - Tavares - Nylander
Joshua - Roy - Maccelli
Lorentz - Laughton - Domi
Cowan - Tavares - Nylander
Joshua - Roy - Maccelli
Lorentz - Laughton - Domi
Extras: McMann, Jarnkrok, Blais
That gives you a speedy scoring winger, a defensively sound Swiss Army knife veteran and a physical no-nonsense brute as your depth options, and they can fit seamlessly into where Craig Berube wants.
Now that also gives the team much more depth overall, and they have all the necessary pieces to put out a full four lines that can make an impact.
It's what fans had been dreaming for since the season started, and if practice is any indication, those dreams may come true when the puck drops on Monday night.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 3|1069 ANSWERS Positive Sign for the Maple Leafs as Three Forwards Return to the Ice Ahead of Penguins Game Which player will make the biggest impact on their return? | ||
| William Nylander | 874 | 81.8 % |
| Scott Laughton | 151 | 14.1 % |
| Steven Lorentz | 44 | 4.1 % |
| List of polls | ||