Leafs lineup news: Woll projected to start vs. Islanders, Benning expected to replace Myers
Woll started Thursday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets but was replaced by Dennis Hildeby during the second period, after the Jets took a 4-1 lead. Toronto stormed back to win 6-5, led by an Auston Matthews’ hat-trick.
Matt Benning is expected to make his season debut, based on Saturday’s practice lines. Benning is projected to replace Philippe Myers in the lineup, and will slot in on the third defence pairing alongside Simon Benoit. Myers has struggled throughout the year, with a minus-8 rating and two points in 21 games. Toronto controls a woeful 40 percent of the expected goals when Myers has been on the ice at 5-on-5 this season via
Natural Stat Trick, while his 4.23 goals against per 60 at 5-on-5 is the 8th-worst total in the NHL among skaters with 100 minutes or greater.
Myers, Brandon Carlo and Jacob Quillan skated among the extras. Carlo is working his way back into shape after undergoing foot surgery on December 3, and could potentially return to the lineup on January 6, when the Maple Leafs square off against the Florida Panthers.
Morgan Rielly will be paired with Troy Stecher, while Jake McCabe will remain with Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Ekman-Larsson was named to Sweden’s Olympic team on Friday, joining William Nylander.
Toronto made no changes to its forward lines from Tuesday’s victory, and William Nylander will miss his fourth consecutive game. Nylander sustained a lower-body injury during a December 27 victory over the Ottawa Senators, and did not participate in Saturday’s morning skate.
Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Jets
Bobby McMann-Auston Matthews-Max Domi
Matias Maccelli-John Tavares-Matthew Knies
Easton Cowan-Nicolas Roy-Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok
Morgan Rielly-Troy Stecher
Jake McCabe-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Simon Benoit-Matt Benning
Joseph Woll (projected starter)
Dennis Hildeby
PRESENTED BY VIVID SEATS
