Leafs lineup news: Brandon Carlo will return vs. Panthers, Joseph Woll projected to start

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Brandon Carlo will return to the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Florida Panthers, head coach Craig Berube confirmed.

Craig Berube confirms Brandon Carlo will return to the lineup tonight vs. Panthers. Carlo last played on November 13.

Carlo hasn’t played since November 13 against the Los Angeles Kings and underwent foot surgery on December 3.

“He’s a stability guy,” Berube said of Carlo, following the Leafs’ optional skate. “It’s his first game back in a long time, so we have to manage his game and his minutes. He’s a guy who eats minutes, gets in the way, blocks shots. All that type of stuff. He’s a good defensive defenceman, penalty killer, all of that.”

Carlo’s presence will be relied upon heavily, as the Maple Leafs are without Chris Tanev indefinitely. Tanev may miss the rest of the regular season as he considers surgery for a groin injury sustained on December 28. Jake McCabe is also expected to miss a week with a lower-body injury that he sustained on January 3 against the New York Islanders.Morgan Rielly has struggled throughout the year, and was on the ice for all four goals against in the overtime loss against the Islanders. Rielly will likely be paired with Carlo for Tuesday’s game. Berube provided a tepid defence of the Leafs’ longest tenured player.

“He’s had a tough run, but we have all the confidence in him,” Berube said of Rielly. “Just keep it simple. Play your game. Don’t force things, don’t try to chase it, make the plays that are there in front of you. Defend well.”

Joseph Woll is the projected starter for Tuesday’s game. Woll has started the Maple Leafs’ previous three contests, posting a .912 save percentage in 15 appearances this season.

Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Panthers

Bobby McMann-Auston Matthews-Max Domi

Matias Maccelli-John Tavares-Matthew Knies

Easton Cowan-Nicolas Roy-Nick Robertson

Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok

Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Troy Stecher

Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo 

Simon Benoit-Philippe Myers 

Joseph Woll (projected starter) 

Dennis Hildeby 

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