New Leafs Line Combinations See Auston Matthews with New Linemates for His Return
Craig Berube made some surprising line changes for the Maple Leafs during Tuesday's practice, ahead of Auston Matthews' triumphant return.
Leafs captain Auston Matthews returned from Germany over the weekend after receiving treatment for his unknown upper-body injury.
The three-time Rocket Richard winner was placed on injured reserve on November 8th, retroactive to November 3rd and has not played since the Leafs' game in Minneapolis at the start of the month.
Returning to practice for the first time since November 3rd, Matthews skated alongside Pontus Holmberg and William Nylander, indicating that he should be back in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Florida Panthers.
With Matthews returning, Nikita Grebenkin appears to have drawn the short stick and was skating as an extra with the suspended Ryan Reaves and injured Matthew Knies.
Craig Berube left the line of Bobby McMann, John Tavares and Mitch Marner together, which is the right thing to do, given how well they are playing together.
Rookie Fraser Minten centered Nicholas Robertson and Alex Nylander, while Connor Dewar continued to man the middle for the fourth line between Steven Lorentz and Alex Steeves.
On the back end, Jake McCabe was absent from practice, but off-season signing Dakota Mermis made his practice debut with the Leafs after having jaw surgery in the off-season.
Mermis appeared to be acting as a placeholder for McCabe as he skated next to Chris Tanev, which could mean that McCabe's absence was nothing more than maintenance.
Jani Hakanpaa appears to be a scratch for the third straight game as he skated on the fourth pairing with Philippe Myers, behind Conor Timmins and Simon Benoit.
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