Leafs practice news: Rielly out due to illness, Woll takes part in individual session, Tavares, Nylander split up
Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly missed Wednesday’s practice due to an illness. Rielly’s status for Thursday’s game against the San Jose Sharks has yet to be confirmed.
Rielly has recorded five goals and 22 points in 28 games this season, recording the game-winning goal in Monday’s 2-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Philippe Myers skated in Rielly’s place, paired with Oliver Ekman-Larsson on Wednesday.
Joseph Woll took part in an individual session, leaving the ice before the team’s formal practice session began. Woll is recovering from a lower-body injury. It was his first appearance since sustaining the injury during a December 4 game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Dennis Hildeby is the projected starter for Thursday’s contest, with Artur Akhtyamov operating as the backup.
Chris Tanev participated in a red non-contact sweater. Tanev is on injured reserve since sustaining an injury against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 1. Tanev, Brandon Carlo and Dakota Mermis are among the Leafs’ defencemen currently on injured reserve, and the team called up Henry Thrun from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
Thrun was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice and skated alongside Simon Benoit, forming the team’s third defence pairing.
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube split up his forward lines subsequently, with William Nylander joining the third line in McMann’s usual place, with Dakota Joshua on the left wing, and Nicolas Roy through the middle, via lines posted by TSN’s Mark Masters. Nick Robertson was moved up to the second-line right wing spot, with Easton Cowan on the left wing and John Tavares at centre. Calle Jarnkrok joined the fourth line, while Matias Maccelli is projected to be a healthy scratch.
Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Sharks
Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Max Domi
Easton Cowan-John Tavares-Nick Robertson
Dakota Joshua-Nicolas Roy-William Nylander
Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok
Morgan Rielly-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Jake McCabe-Troy Stecher
Simon Benoit-Henry Thrun
Dennis Hildeby
Artur Akhtyamov
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