Dec 23, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev (8) greets forward Bobby McMann who scored an empty net goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs are back on the ice after the holiday break and with a tough Battle of Ontario ahead of them, here’s how they are expected to line up.

Saturday night will see the return of NHL action as the holiday break is over and players are rested, relaxed, and now able to set their focus on making a strong push before another break in February due to the Olympics.

Toronto’s projected lineup for clash vs. Senators

So with that being said, the team is going to need to field a lineup to play on Saturday night, and with questions about the roster: will there be any changes?

Well it seems if it’s a case of if it’s not broken don’t fix it, as Craig Berube is keeping the same lineup as he had against Pittsburgh; one that was very successful at controlling the pace:

McMann – Matthews – Domi
Maccelli – Tavares – Nylander
Knies – Roy – Robertson
Joshua – Laughton – Lorentz

Rielly – Myers
McCabe – Tanev
OEL – Stecher

Easton Cowan and Calle Jarnkrok will be scratches yet again, and it’s starting to get a little concerning as this will make it three games in a row that Cowan has sat.

Toronto had a lot of success with this brand new look against Pittsburgh so it’s worth giving another look and hopefully it can spark guys like Knies and Robertson to get back into the scoring column once again.

The only real change is on the backend where Chris Tanev rejoins Jake McCabe on the second pairing as Troy Stecher drops to the third pair.

It will also be the first game where new assistant coach Steve Sullivan will take the reins of the power play, although he as well as Derek Lalonde and Craig Berube are also sharing the responsibilities for now.

Toronto and Ottawa is always an exciting game and with a lot of momentum riding on a strong game for both teams, it will no doubt be an intense matchup and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Maple Leafs release projected lineup for Battle of Ontario vs. the Senators

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