Photo credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs will have their captain back according to their lines at practice ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Winnipeg Jets.
It’s a brand new year so hopefully that means that whatever was ailing the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2025 is behind them and they can focus on a strong start to 2026 with a win against Winnipeg on Thursday.
Although they are dealing with more injury issues, the team has a ton of momentum to build off of after a 4-0 shutout victory over the Devils on Tuesday night.
Matthews back in as Toronto takes on Winnipeg in Canadian clash
But who is going to line up for the game against the Jets? We heard rumblings that perhaps Auston Matthews would be back, and there was potential for William Nylander to at least get back on the ice, so how did Craig Berube write it up?
Well it all starts with the captain back in the fray, as Matthews was seen lining up in his usual top-line spot alongside Matthew Knies (who moves up) and Max Domi:
Knies – Matthews – Domi
Maccelli – Tavares – McMann
Cowan – Roy – Robertson
Lorentz – Laughton – Jarnkrok
Rielly – Myers
McCabe – OEL
Benoit – Stecher
Toronto is experimenting a bit with things, as Bobby McMann switches with Knies in the top-six, meanwhile Jacob Quillan; who was recalled earlier and played against New Jersey, will be a healthy scratch.
Matthews grateful to be back in lineup after blocking shot
With Matthews back it makes sense, and Calle Jarnkrok did end up scoring a goal last game so by proxy, he should earn the spot over Quillan.
The captain seems excited to be back in, and feels very thankful that his injury didn’t turn out worse:
It was worrisome, you never know what it could be. It kind of caught me in a difficult spot, and it was pretty swollen for a few days. So I just tried to do what I could to reduce all that stuff, put my foot in my skate and get going again. It felt good to skate.
An exciting line to keep an eye on is that third line with Nick Robertson and Easton Cowan flanking Nicolas Roy. That group had a ton of energy, and Roy has a workhorse all night meanwhile Robertson had two points and Cowan was a lightning bolt the entire game.
The defense stays the same, and although we have seen Brandon Carlo skating again, he isn’t close to returning just yet.
Toronto will turn again to Joseph Woll as he looks to build off his 33-save shutout on Tuesday. He was a crucial part in keeping the Maple Leafs in the thick of things, and he’ll need to do the same on Thursday.
One positive that Toronto can take away is that Winnipeg isn’t exactly riding a hot streak right now, and if they can shut down Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor then it might be a pretty easy night for the Maple Leafs.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
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