Tonight in Montreal, the Toronto Maple Leafs will play the first game of a three-in-three set to close out the 2016 preseason (7:30 p.m EST, TSN 4).
The Leafs are dressing a roster heavy on NHL regulars — only Tyler Bozak, who we’ve learned is injured, is missing among their top nine forwards, while the defence looks like it could be the six-man group the Leafs start the season with.
Mike Babcock has indicated that Nikita Zaitsev will likely start the year partnered with Matt Hunwick, and that’s who he will play with tonight according to Kristen Shilton. Jake Gardiner – Connor Carrick, who played together on Tuesday, and Martin Marincin – Morgan Rielly will comprise the other pairings.
Up front, the JVR – Nylander – Hyman line will play a second consecutive game together. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner will again pair up, with Matt Martin joining the left side of the line in place of Colin Greening.
Perhaps the bubble player with the most on the line tonight is Connor Brown, who hasn’t fully picked up where he left off last April so far in preseason. Shilton’s lines have him switching to his off wing to skate alongside Frederik Gauthier and Kasperi Kapanen.
Based on the practice groups, it appears Frederik Andersen will get the start for the second consecutive game, with Jhonas Enroth backing up.
Coach confirmed Bozak is injured. If he weren't, says Matthews would be playing with Nylander, not Marner #Leafs
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) October 6, 2016
The Canadiens will counter with an NHL-calibre lineup of their own. Carey Price will start his first game of the preseason, while Andrew Shaw, Brendan Gallagher, Tomas Plekanec, Alex Galchenyuk, David Deharnais and Alex Radulov will dress up front, according to TSN’s John Lu. Five of their regular defencemen, including Shea Weber, will be in the lineup, as well as 2016 first round pick Mikhail Sergachev.
Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Lines
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
| Milan Michalek | Nazem Kadri | Leo Komarov |
| Matt Martin | Auston Matthews | Mitch Marner |
| James van Riemsdyk | William Nylander | Zach Hyman |
| Connor Brown | Frederik Gauthier | Kasperi Kapanen |
| Left Defense | Right Defense | |
| Matt Hunwick | Nikita Zaitsev | |
| Martin Marincin | Morgan Rielly | |
| Jake Gardiner | Connor Carrick | |
| Goalies | ||
| Frederik Andersen | ||
| Jhonas Enroth |
Montreal Canadiens Projected Lines
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
| Andrighetto | Galchenyuk | Gallagher |
| Lehkonen | Plekanec | Radulov |
| Carr | Desharnais | Shaw |
| Danault | Mitchell | McCarron |
| Left Defence | Right Defence | |
| Beaulieu | Weber | |
| Markov | Petry | |
| Emelin | Sergachev | |
| Goalies | ||
| Price | ||
| Montoya |
Mike Babcock Morning Skate
Babcock provides updates on Josh Leivo, Tyler Bozak and Nikita Soshnikov — all injured — and talks about the upcoming decisions for the final round of cuts.
