Simon Benoit a Scratch, Pair of Leafs To Make Season Debuts Against Capitals
The Maple Leafs announced a pair of last-minute lineup changes ahead of Wednesday's game that will see two players make their season debuts for the Leafs.
Wednesday morning, Jani Hakanpaa was activated from LTIR and recalled from his conditioning stintand yesterday the Leafs recalled Alex Steeves from the Toronto Marlies.
There was uncertainty about both getting into the lineup Wednesday against the Capitals, but the Leafs confirmed that both will make their season debuts.
On the blueline, Hakanpaa will replace Simon Benoit on the third pairing with Conor Timmins. Benoit has struggled at times this season and many in the media believed he could use a bit of a reset.
Up front, Steeves, who has been lighting it up for the Marlies, will replace the ice cold Nicholas Robertson.
Robertson has just 1 goal in 14 games for the Leafs so far this season and the Leafs are still struggling to find a fit for him. Compared to Robertson, Steeves has scored 9 times and added 3 assists through just 10 games with the Marlies this season. Steeves managed to get into one game last season for the Leafs, but since he turned pro, has played in only 7 NHL games and registered a lone assist.
The Leafs were shut out Tuesday 3-0 at the hands of the Ottawa Senators and will look to get back into the win column with Joseph Woll expected to get the start. The Leafs will need a much better effort against a Capitals team that is 7-2-0 on home ice.
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