Leafs practice notes: Nylander granted maintenance day, will play vs. Capitals
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander was granted a maintenance day and did not participate in Thursday’s practice. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed that Nylander will play in Friday’s game against the Washington Capitals.
Nick Robertson joined Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies on the top line, while John Tavares centred Max Domi and Easton Cowan on the second line. Matthews, Knies and Nicolas Roy all returned from injury-related multi-game absences on Wednesday.
It appears that Matias Maccelli will be a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game, operating as an alternate during practice, via lines posted by TSN’s Mark Masters. Maccelli has recorded four goals and nine points in 21 games, and hasn’t met preseason expectations, while primarily operating in top-six roles. Dakota Joshua was also among the scratches Wednesday, but he will be back in the lineup. Joshua was paired with Roy and Bobby McMann during practice.
Berube elected to run a five-forward power play on Wednesday, and continued with this format during Thursday’s practice. Matthews, Knies, Tavares, Cowan were part of the first unit, with Domi and Maccelli alternating on the flank. Toronto’s second unit consisted of Robertson, Roy, McMann, along with defencemen Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Joseph Woll may be in line to start his sixth consecutive game. Woll was outstanding for the Maple Leafs in Wednesday’s victory, making 35 stops. Dennis Hildeby is operating as the Maple Leafs’ backup, and if Woll starts Friday, Hildeby will be expected to start Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Maple Leafs’ practice lines
Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Nick Robertson
Max Domi-John Tavares-Easton Cowan
Dakota Joshua-Nicolas Roy-Bobby McMann
Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok
Morgan Rielly-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Simon Benoit-Jake McCabe
Dakota Mermis-Troy Stecher
Joseph Woll (projected starter)
Dennis Hildeby