The lines were in a blender on Sunday against the Red Wings. Much of it reverted to the way it was except for Pontus Holmberg's promotion to the top line.
The lines were in a blender on Sunday against the Red Wings. Much of it reverted to the way it was except for Pontus Holmberg's promotion to the top line.
EDMONTON — The Toronto Maple Leafs held a full morning skate on Tuesday ahead of their game against the Edmonton Oilers and stepped away from much of their lineup shuffling that took place on Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings.
Mitch Marner was back on the top line with Auston Matthews. However, Pontus Holmberg remained on the left side for the second consecutive game. Holmberg has performed well since getting back into the lineup as a winger. The 24-year-old has points in four of his last five games.
John Tavares was reunited with William Nylander on the second line, but Matthew Knies now occupies the role that Tyler Bertuzzi previously occupied. That has moved Bertuzzi out of the top-six group for the first time this season. He skated with Max Domi and Mitch Marner on Sunday. Calle Jarnkrok is now on the wing of that line.
In an attempt to find the right fit with Bertuzzi, Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe feels the forward's game has lacked consistency.
"When the game gets going he's in it. He's competitive at times and the game gets away from him a bit early," Keefe said of Bertuzzi. "For me the harder, more competitive and more important the game is the better we get from him.
"With Colorado (Avalanche), it was a bit of an exception there."
The Maple Leafs held a 3-0 lead after one period against the Avalanche on Saturday before losing 5-3. The Maple Leafs fell to the Red Wings 4-2 on Sunday. In both games, Toronto surrendered the winning goal late in regulation time.
With Toronto now on the road for the next four games, the Leafs will not have the benefit of changing second, so much of the previous lines have been restored. But the game is big for Toronto to get out of their recent rut, while attempting to break the Oilers' franchise-record 10-game win streak at Rogers Place.
And that means putting their best foot forward with Matthews and Marner back together.
"They're playing really well and we're obviously well aware of their elite players," Keefe said. "Lots of reasons why you need to be at your best."
Bobby McMann will return to the lineup after missing one game due to a flare-up related to a previous injury. The forward could have played through it up a collective decision was made to sit out.
Martin Jones returns in net for Toronto after Ilya Samsonov started on Sunday. Jones is
Oilers projected lineup
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — Connor McDavid — Zach Hyman
Evander Kane — Leom Draisaitl — Warren Foegele
Mattias Janmark — Ryan McLeod — Derek Ryan
Adam Erne — James Hamblin — Connor Brown
Darnell Nurse — Cody Ceci
Mattias Ekholm — Evan Bouchard
Brett Kulak — Vincent Desharnais
Stuart Skinner in goal
Where to watch
For viewers in the Maple Leafs' region, the game will be broadcast and streamed on TSN4. For viewers in the Oilers region, the game will be broadcast and streamed on Sportsnet+. For the rest of Canada, the game will stream on Sportsnet+ Premium. In the United States, the game will stream on ESPN+. For the rest of the world, the game will stream on the respective nation's carrier of NHL.TV.
Related
News from THN.com
Marc-Andre Fleury Passes Patrick Roy for Second-Most Goalie Wins in NHL History
Top Performers at the All-American Prospects Game
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin to Receive Care from NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program