Sep 25, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Matt Benning (33) plays the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Bell Centre

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

One defenseman is projected to make his season debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight against the New York Islanders.

Defenseman Matt Benning is expected to start for the Leafs against the New York Islanders in what would be his first game for Toronto.

Benning was acquired by Toronto in 2024 along with two draft picks in a deal that sent defenseman Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks.

Having 464 career NHL games played, including seven for San Jose last season, Benning spent last season in Toronto in the AHL with the Marlies, with eight points in 39 games. Benning has 10 points in 16 games this season for the Marlies.

Ahead of tonight’s game, Benning is projected to be on the Leafs third pairing alongside Simon Benoit, with Philippe Myers inserting out of the lineup after having been on the top pair in the Leafs previous game against the Winnipeg Jets.

Leafs switch up defensive pairs after high scoring battle with Winnipeg

The Toronto Maple Leafs are making changes on their blueline after a back-and-forth goal fest between Toronto and Winnipeg in a 6-5 win for the Leafs.

Myers, who was rotated out of the lineup, struggled against Winnipeg and played just 8:41 of ice time against the Jets.

Troy Stecher is moved up to the top pair alongside Morgan Rielly, with Myers & Benoit the third pairing, with the second D line of Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson left unchanged.

The Leafs make a small move at forward, with Bobby McMann moved to the first line alongside Auston Matthews and Max Domi, with Matthew Knies dropped down to the second line with John Tavares and Matias Maccelli.

Joseph Woll gets the start for Toronto, a potential rebound game following being pulled in Toronto’s last game vs Winnipeg after giving up four goals on 17 shots.

McMann – Matthews – Domi
Maccelli – Tavares – Knies
Cowan – Roy – Robertson
Lorentz – Laughton – Jarnkrok

Rielly – Stecher
McCabe – Ekman-Larsson
Benoit – Benning

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