Maple Leafs Make Key Lineup Changes Ahead of Vegas Clash

The Vegas Golden Knights could see a slightly different-looking Toronto Maple Leafs lineup when the two teams meet Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena.

Toronto used its morning skate to make some adjustments up front, with the biggest changes coming in the middle six. The Maple Leafs arrive in Vegas with a 2-2-0 record, while the Golden Knights have opened the season 3-1-0.

As reported by Andre Leal of The Hockey News, rookie Gavin McKenna is expected to return to the third line with Nick Paul and Colton Sissons. McKenna spent time alongside John Tavares and William Nylander during Toronto’s overtime victory over Nashville.

Easton Cowan is now projected to occupy the left-wing spot on the second line with Tavares and Nylander. Toronto’s first and fourth lines are otherwise unchanged, while the defensive pairings are also expected to remain intact.

The adjustments follow a wild 5-4 overtime win over the Predators, when Toronto coach Jim Hiller shuffled his forward combinations throughout the game. McKenna made headlines by scoring his first NHL goal, finishing a play set up by Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic.

Toronto is also expected to change goaltenders.

Sergei Bobrovsky, who won two Stanley Cups as a member of the Florida Panthers is projected to get the start against Vegas after Anthony Stolarz handled the crease against Nashville. Bobrovsky, who struggled in his final year by the beach, is still looking for his first victory as a Maple Leaf after beginning the season 0-2-0, with a .887 save percentage and 3.06 goals-against average.

His career numbers against Vegas are considerably stronger. Bobrovsky is 8-3-0 in 11 appearances against the Golden Knights, posting a .913 save percentage and 2.40 GAA.

Vegas is expected to counter with Adin Hill, who will make his second start of the season after stopping 18 of 20 shots in a 3-2 win over Vancouver.

The Golden Knights will also welcome Raphael Lavoie into the lineup for the first time this season. He’ll replace Victor Olofsson, who was injured in Vegas’ most recent game against Seattle. Olofsson’s absence is a notable one after he opened the season with four goals in the Golden Knights’ first four games.