The Toronto Maple Leafs will look to make it four straight wins when they face off with the Ottawa Senators in an Atlantic Division clash on Tuesday. With Auston Matthews sidelined with an upper body injury, the team has been able to find some much-needed success after starting November with two straight losses.
In addition to the first-year captain being absent from tonight's game, the Maple Leafs will be without several other players. Center Calle Jarnkrok is still on the injured reserve list after suffering a setback this past week. In addition, Max Pacioretty and Dakota Mermis are still on the injured reserve list as well.
Last, but certainly not least, Jani Hakanpaa has started practicing with the Maple Leafs again but will miss tonight's game as he works his way back to 100%.
With that in mind the lines for tonight's game are expected to be as follows:
Note: * indicates player is probable to play
Forwards:
- LW Matthew Knies - C Max Domi - RW Mitch Marner
- LW Bobby McMann - C John Tavares - RW William Nylander
- LW Nicholas Robertson - C Pontus Holmberg - RW Connor Dewar*
- LW Steven Lorentz - C David Kampf - RW Ryan Reaves
Defense:
- Morgan Rielly - Oliver Ekman-Larsson
- Jake McCabe - Chris Tanev
- Simon Benoit - Conor Timmins
Goalies:
- Anthony Stolarz
- Joseph Woll
Powerplay:
- Matthew Knies, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly, William Nylander
- Max Domi, Bobby McMann, Nicholas Robertson, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Conor Timmins
Penalty Kill:
- David Kampf, Mitch Marner, Jake McCabe, Chris Tanev
- Pontus Holmberg, Matthew Knies, Simon Benoit, Conor Timmins
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving gives update on Auston Matthews following Monday's practice
While Auston Matthews has been absent from the ice for the Maple Leafs' three most recent games, GM Brad Treliving gave an optimistic update to media members on Monday. Despite the fact that Matthews missed practice once again, it doesn't sound like the team is planning on an extended absence.
The way Treliving made it sound, the team is playing things safe rather than rushing Matthews back and risking a potential setback that could sideline him for longer.
When speaking about the unspecified upper-body injury, which the team has confirmed is different from the wrist injury Matthews needed surgery on several years back, Treliving said:
"We want to make sure we get ahead of it and hopefully get it behind us once and for all. He will remain day to day. I would say he is doubtful for tomorrow, but he skated Saturday and Sunday so we'll keep going down that path."
While he isn't expected to play tonight, and he likely won't play in the second leg of a back-to-back tomorrow against the Capitals, he could return to action Saturday when the Leafs host Edmonton.