Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to get back on track against the Flyers on Saturday night, and their lineup shows that it’s time to get things figured out.
Coming into the City of Brotherly Love, there’s going to be no love lost between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night as the boys from Broad Street try to make life miserable for Auston Matthews and company.It’ll be the first time the two meet this season and we’ll get to see former Maple Leafs prospect Nikita Grebenkin face off against his old team after being dealt away for Scott Laughton last season.With a lot of questions about the lineup however, there’s certainly going to be some changes, as fans hope to see the return of William Nylander, as well as the much anticipated return of defenseman Chris Tanev; who was seen skating at practice on Friday.
Craig Berube Sticks With His Core but Keeps Tweaking the Bottom Six
So who could the team be putting out to try and get things back on track?
It seems like Craig Berube has tinkered a little bit more with his lineup and given that Nylander is out, that could go even further ahead of the puck dropping:
Knies – Matthews – Robertson
Maccelli -Tavares – McMann
Joshua – Roy – Cowan
Domi – Laughton – Jarnkrok
Rielly – Carlo
Benoit – McCabe
OEL – Tanev
Leading the team with 11 assists, Nylander has shown a propensity to be a playmaker now, and with Matthew Knies helping out with that on the second line, it could lead to great things for the captain who really needs help right now.Young Forwards Like Easton Cowan and Robertson Still Pushing for a Spot
We saw names like Scott Laughton back at practice earlier, and led the stretches for the team, and looks ready to make his return to the lineup against his old squad.
Easton Cowan once again presumably gets a chance to skate with Nic Roy and Dakota Joshua as they try to find some more chemistry as the veteran forwards start clicking better.
Nick Robertson gets a chance to go atop the first line again and hopefully he can be an energetic spark to the team and perhaps give Auston Matthews a boost he needs.
Chris Tanev comes back into the fray after missing the last several games with concussion-like symptoms, and his presence will be a welcome addition to a defense that has struggled mightily recently.
Anthony Stolarz is going to get the call after a rough showing from Cayden Primeau against Columbus, though he will need to step up himself after showing some pretty shaky goaltending to start off the season.
Holding a 3-4-1 record with a 3.27 GAA and .886 SV%, its a very unusual start for Stolarz, however he will be able to get himself back on track against his former team where he’s been solid, going 3-2-0 with a 2.42 GAA and .919 SV% for his career.
The Maple Leafs will look to get themselves into the win column once again as they take on the Flyers on the road; the puck is scheduled to drop at 7PM ET.
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One Look at the Maple Leafs’ Projected Lineup vs. Flyers and You Know Things Are Changing
Do you think Toronto is going to be able to pull out a win with their new lineup?