The Maple Leafs changed up their forward groups and more could be coming down the line.
COLUMBUS — Suffering an embarrassing loss is certainly a reason to change things up and Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe has been looking at things up and down his lineup.
Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner will be reunited again on the top line when the Maple Leafs visit the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Saturday.
"I generally look at it as here on the road that Matthews is going to get all the attention and Nylander away from Matthews creates some interesting challenges for the opposition," Keefe said. "Coming off a couple of losses here, despite the fact that Matthews has been scoring consistently, I don't know if I'd say that Willy has been a huge contributor to those goals."
In speaking with The Hockey News on Friday following the team's practice, Keefe said the switch one of the moves he was contemplating after losing to the Buffalo Sabres 9-3 at KeyBank Center on Thursday.
But more lineup changes could be on the horizon following the holiday break.
The third line consisting of Nick Robertson, Max Domi and Calle Jarnkrok could be in line for a shift after playing together for almost the entire time since Nov. 5.
"I talked about over the last day or so about making changes there as well but ultimately just decided to back with Nylander and Tavares as my main change," Keefe said. "The line itself has been on my mind a little bit, but when I zoom out and look at it as a whole I think the line has been productive for us, I'm not necessarily happy with where it's trending."
Jarnkrok is expected to play for the Maple Leafs after taking part in the team's optional skate on Saturday.
Other changes to the lineup defensively sees Conor Timmins likely being a healthy scratch for the first time this season with Simon Benoit and William Lagesson skating as the team's third pair.
Starting the season as depth defensemen and signed to one-year deals, both players have found chemistry together. Benoit and Lagesson have combined for a 71 percent expected goals percentage while paired together at 5-on-5, per NatutalStatTrick.com.
Martin Jones will start in goal against the Blue Jackets. Daniil Tarasov will be between the pipes for Columbus.
The Blue Jackets will also get some help on defense with Damon Severson returning from an oblique injury.
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