The Maple Leafs are heading into Colorado with a fresh look, a missing centerpiece and a new face on the blue line.
Toronto dropped a 4-3 shootout decision to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night, then turned around to face an Avalanche team that has been scorching early in the 2026-27 season. The challenge got a little steeper with John Tavares out for the birth of his new baby, but Saturday night also brings a debut: Nick Blankenburg is set to play his first game for the Maple Leafs.
Jim Hiller is rolling with seven defensemen and 11 forwards, and the practice look pointed to a lineup that gives Toronto a little more balance throughout the roster. The defense pairings appeared to be McCabe with Raddysh, Rielly with Tanev, and OEL with Stecher, while Blankenburg slots in as the extra blue-liner. Bobrovsky and Stolarz are both listed, with the starter to be decided during warmups.
Up front, the top line stays intact, but the second unit gets a shakeup without Tavares. The setup also gives the Leafs a high-energy checking group that could create chances the other way.
Gavin McKenna’s line gets a bit more support with Sissons, while Bo Groulx also gets a boost. The fourth line is expected to include Teddy Blueger and Brandon Duhaime, with William Nylander, Easton Cowan, Nick Paul or even Auston Matthews helping round out the rest of the forwards.
The defensive changes may be the biggest development. Toronto looks sturdier on paper, with more support for both Morgan Rielly and Darren Raddysh, who have needed help at times. Stecher and Blankenburg are likely to split minutes, though both could see the ice if Oliver Ekman-Larsson isn’t fully healthy.
Bobrovsky is still chasing his first win as a Maple Leaf, and if Toronto can click quickly and keep Colorado’s attack in check, that first victory could be there for the taking. Hiller has not named his starter yet.
Blankenburg’s debut is one of the main things to watch, especially with the defenseman going up against his former team. There’s also the question of Miles Wood, who was called up Friday to add depth, speed and scoring potential to the bottom six, though it remains unclear when he’ll make his Maple Leafs debut.
Colorado has its own familiar face to monitor in Nazem Kadri, who has 14 points in 12 games against Toronto and remains dangerous wherever he lines up.
For the Maple Leafs, the assignment is plain enough: survive the Avalanche’s firepower on the road and build on the kind of fast start they had against Vegas, only this time finish the job.
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What makes the situation worth watching is the possibility that Detroit could be open to moving him under the right circumstances. Edvinsson has the profile of a player who would draw interest across the league, and Toronto would make sense as one of the clubs keeping tabs if the Red Wings decide to listen. For the Maple Leafs, the question is whether they want to push in now for help on the left side or trust the current group to carry the load a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
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There was also some notable honesty in the way Nylander discussed his connection to former Leafs star Mats Sundin, since the relationship has long carried extra weight for Toronto fans. Nylander revisited his upbringing and the hockey influences that mattered most to him, a reminder that even for a player entrenched in the present, the past still helps frame how he sees a changing Leafs roster. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Make Unusual Avalanche Lineup Move With One Big Decision Looming
The Maple Leafs are making a slightly unusual adjustment against the Colorado Avalanche, sliding Nick Blankenburg into the lineup as John Tavares steps out for the birth of his child. Head coach Jim Hiller said the club will dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards, a wrinkle that gives Toronto some extra flexibility while also opening the door for Blankenburg to get his first action of the season after being a healthy scratch through the first five games.
Blankenburg arrived on a one-year deal after a strong training camp, so this is a useful early look at how he fits once the games start to count. There is still one notable piece left hanging ahead of puck drop, though, because Hiller declined to name the starting goaltender, leaving Torontos final call in net as the other decision worth watching before the matchup begins. [Read more 🡒]