Maple Leafs lineup today: Toronto projected lineup for game against the Pittsburgh Penguins | Dec. 7, 2024

The Toronto Maple Leafs will face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday in their first of two straight road games. After closing out the month of November with a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team was able to kick off the month of December with back-to-back wins over the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators before falling 3-1 to the Washington Capitals on Friday.

Heading into the game, Toronto has a slew of players on the injury report. David Kampf, Max Pacioretty, Max Domi, Bobby McMann and Calle Jarnkrok are all listed on the injured reserve list. Meanwhile, defenceman Jake McCabe is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Maple Leafs projected lines vs Pittsburgh

Forwards:

1. LW Matthew Knies - C Auston Matthews - RW Mitch Marner
2. LW Pontus Holmberg - C John Tavares - RW William Nylander
3. LW Nicholas Robertson - C Fraser Minten - RW Steven Lorentz
4. LW Nikita Grebenkin - C Connor Dewar - RW Ryan Reaves

Defense:

1. Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Chris Tanev
2. Morgan Rielly - Philippe Myers
3. Simon Benoit - Conor Timmins

Goalies:

• Joseph Woll
• Anthony Stolarz

Powerplay:

1. Matthew Knies, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Auston Matthews
2. Pontus Holmberg, Fraser Minten, Nicholas Robertson, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Morgan Rielly

Penalty Kill:

1. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Simon Benoit, Chris Tanev
2. Steven Lorentz, Connor Dewar, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Conor Timmins

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Looking at the Maple Leafs standing in a stacked Atlantic Division, and how tonight's game could shift the standings

Heading into tonight's game we have a tie atop the Atlantic Division. With a record of 16-8-2 Toronto is tied with the 16-9-2 Florida Panthers for first place. Both teams are holding onto 34 points, with today's slate of NHL action expected to break the tie.

If the Panthers pick up two points with a win over the San Jose Sharks at 3 pm PT (6 pm ET), the Maple Leafs will have to beat the Penguins at 4 pm PT (7 pm ET) to keep the tie. Otherwise, whichever team gets the win will claim the top spot in the division.

Following tonight's game, the Maple Leafs will head to New Jersey for a clash with the Devils on Tuesday, before returning home for a game against the Ducks on Thursday. From there the team will wrap up the week with a back-to-back that will see them play the Red Wings on Saturday, and the Sabres on Monday.

With the stakes at an all-time high for Toronto as they look to stay atop the division, only time will tell how things play out.