The Maple Leafs got a timely boost at practice Saturday, with John Tavares and Jack Roslovic both back on the ice and taking part fully as Toronto prepares for a must-win matchup against Montreal.
That matters now more than ever. The Leafs are staring down a brutal run: five games in eight nights, starting with the Canadiens before back-to-back tests against New Jersey on Sunday and then Minnesota, Colorado and Edmonton. If Toronto wants to survive that stretch, it has to start by coming out sharp against Montreal.
The good news is the lineup is getting help at exactly the right moment. Tavares and Roslovic were both present and active at practice after dealing with their ailments, and both appear set to play Saturday.
Toronto’s alignment showed a few interesting wrinkles. Tavares was not in his usual spot at second-line center; instead, he was listed on the left wing. Gavin McKenna dropped to the third line, while Vinni Lettieri was the extra skater.
Roslovic, meanwhile, is back on the first line after what turned out to be a maintenance day rather than a real setback. That’s a relief for Toronto, especially with Roslovic having been hot lately.
The challenge now is getting everyone synced up quickly. Roslovic should be fine, since he hasn’t actually missed games. Tavares is the bigger question, and the move to the wing adds another layer to the adjustment.
He’ll have support from Nick Paul and William Nylander, but Toronto needs more than just a soft landing here. The Leafs need Tavares to look ready right away, not a few games down the road.
If Roslovic and Tavares can slot back in and help the Leafs jump on Montreal early, Toronto could walk away with more than just a win. It could leave with some much-needed momentum heading into the rest of the grind.
In Other News...
Maple Leafs May Have Found A Real Mitch Marner Successor
The Maple Leafs have spent plenty of time looking for the right fit beside Auston Matthews, and Jack Roslovic has at least given them a compelling answer early in the season. Slotted onto Torontos top line with Matthews and Kirill Marchenko, Roslovic has looked comfortable in an elevated role and has brought the kind of pace and finishing touch that can change the feel of a line in a hurry.
Through 17 games, Roslovic has already piled up eight goals and 10 assists, putting him on track for a career-best offensive season. The next wrinkle is how Toronto handles the line when Marchenko is ready to return from a lower-body injury, because the Leafs now have to figure out whether this alignment is a short-term spark or something worth keeping intact. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Rookie Faces A New Test As Tavares Nears Return
Gavin McKennas role has shifted again as the Maple Leafs start to get healthier, with the rookie no longer working on the top power-play group and settling into a prominent spot on the second unit. It is the kind of adjustment that comes with playing on a contender, where one lineup change can ripple through the special teams setup and force a young player to keep finding ways to stay useful.
Jim Hiller has pointed to McKennas growth, especially away from the puck, as a reason the coaching staff still trusts him in an important spot. The timing matters because John Tavares is nearing a return, and the Leafs are preparing for a familiar kind of squeeze that comes when a veteran center is ready to rejoin the mix and everyone else has to adapt around him. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Face A Costly Dilemma In Pursuit Of Simon Edvinsson
The Maple Leafs are again being linked to a big swing on the blue line, with Detroit defenseman Simon Edvinsson emerging as a possible target as Toronto weighs how aggressive it wants to be. The appeal is obvious: Edvinsson is a young, high-end defender who could fit a long-term need, but any pursuit would come with the usual Toronto problem of paying a premium in both trade assets and future flexibility.
There is still no confirmation of official talks or an agreement between the clubs, but the cost of even getting into the conversation looks steep. Edvinsson is currently without a contract and is believed to be chasing a major extension, which only adds another layer to the dilemma for Toronto as it tries to decide whether the fit is worth the price. [Read more 🡒]