Toronto Maple Leafs projected lineup tonight

The Toronto Maple Leafs are ready to hit the ice tonight with their Toronto Maple Leafs projected lineup tonight featuring a mix of star power and some solid depth. Injuries to key players have forced some roster adjustments, but the team stays competitive. Let's break down who's playing and what to expect.

Who's playing up front tonight

The Leafs roll out four forward lines with their top talent leading the charge. Auston Matthews anchors the first line with Mathew Knies and Max Domi alongside him. Matthews drives the offense as the franchise's elite scorer, while Knies and Domi provide playmaking and secondary scoring support (honestly, this line is pretty scary to play against).

John Tavares leads the second line with Easton Cowan and William Nylander. Tavares brings veteran experience and leadership to balance scoring and two-way play. The third line features Scott Laughton, Steven Lorentz, and Calle Jarnkrok focused on defense and keeping things consistent. Dakota Joshua, Nicolas Roy, and Bobby McMann make up the fourth line, bringing energy and physicality that can wear down opponents.

Defense pairings and goaltending plans

Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson form the top pairing, combining offensive ability with defensive reliability. Jake McCabe and Troy Stecher anchor the second pair with solid two-way contributions. Simon Benoit and Dakota Mermis round out the blue line, with Mermis replacing the scratched Philippe Myers.

Dennis Hildeby gets the start in goal with Artur Akhtyamov backing him up. The defensive adjustments reflect current roster management and injury situations affecting the team's depth.

Key injuries affecting tonight's game

Several players are sidelined, forcing the Leafs to adjust their lineup carefully. Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo are out on the back end with upper and lower body injuries. Goaltenders Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll are also unavailable, impacting depth decisions (rough timing, really).

Scratches include Matias Maccelli, Nicholas Robertson, and Philippe Myers as the team manages roster depth. These absences ripple through the lineup, moving players like Dakota Mermis into the rotation and reshuffling forward combinations. Fans should watch for last-minute changes before puck drop, especialy with players who had limited morning skate participation.

Tonight's game showcases how the Leafs adapt to injuries while keeping their offensive weapons ready. Matthews and Tavares lead the charge, and the depth players step up to fill gaps. Watch for strong play from the defense pairs and solid goaltending from Hildeby as Toronto fights for a win.