Auston Matthews' Return Inspires Significant Changes to the Toronto Maple Leafs Lineup
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is returning to the lineup against the Boston Bruins tonight and as a result, the team's lines have undergone an overhaul.
Auston Matthews has missed numerous games this season with a lingering upper-body injury, but now, he is back as the Leafs look to take on one of their most hated rivals.
Toronto Maple Leafs change lines with Auston Matthews back in the lineup
With the captain back in the lineup, fans have been wondering what the actual lines would look like and whether or not head coach Craig Berube would make big changes.
Well, we now have an answer courtesy of Hockey News reporter David Alter, who always seems to have the scoop on this stuff.
Unsurprisingly, Matthew Knies, Matthews, and Mitch Marner will all play together. Meanwhile, David Kampf has been demoted back down to the fourth line where he will play with Steven Lorentz and Connor Deward.
The odd man out on offense tonight will be Ryan Reaves as Connor Timmins and Jani Hakanpaa are out on defense.
Pacioretty-Tavares-Nylander
McMann-Domi-Robertson
Lorentz-Kampf-Dewar
Extra: Reaves
Rielly-Myers
McCabe-Tanev
Benoit-OEL
Timmins-Hakanpaa
Woll
Hildeby
Thankfully, the second line of John Tavares, William Nylander, and Max Pacioretty has remained intact.
The same can be said of the third line consisting of Max Domi, Nick Robertson, and Bobby McMann, which scored both goals in the Leafs' win against the New York Islanders on Thursday.
Tonight, the Maple Leafs have a much more difficult test, which means they have to bring their A-game.
These lines are pretty solid, although the main storyline will be Auston Matthews and whether or not he appears to be back at 100 percent.
There is a lot riding on his health, and Maple Leafs fans are going to be on the edge of their seats for all sixty minutes.
