The Toronto Maple Leafs could be headed for a major shakeup following the injury sustained by Steven Lorentz on Saturday night.
During the Maple Leafs-Red Wings tilt at the Little Caesars Arena, Lorentz took a hit from Detroit defenseman Ben Chiarot. Lorentz left the game late in the first period and did not return. The club later confirmed that Lorentz had suffered an upper-body injury. He is listed as day-to-day.
Meanwhile, the injury has had a ripple effect on the Maple Leafs’ lineup. On Sunday, the club’s practice lines reflect a major shakeup that could land prized rookie Easton Cowan on the top line with captain Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.
Here’s a look at the Maple Leafs’ lines at practice on Sunday:
The moves suggest that the Leafs are ready to bring Cowan straight into the spotlight. While the 20-year-old had played with Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz in the preseason, both veterans are out with injury.
So, there doesn’t seem to be any other logical place for Cowan other than the top line with Matthews and Knies.
Fans should be surprised to see Cowan slow out of the gate in the early going. But this move could be a long-anticipated one that promises to boost the Maple Leafs’ top-six scoring group.
Maple Leafs Blue Line Sees No Changes
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ blue line looked the same on Sunday. Morgan Rielly skated with Brandon Carlo, Jake McCabe, and Chris Tanev remained together, and Simon Benoit continued partnering with Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
It’s mildly surprising to see Ekman-Larsson still in the lineup, given the atrocious game he and Benoit had on Saturday night. But then again, the Maple Leafs may not be willing to move away from their bottom pairing just yet.
Fans have yet to see other Leafs’ blueliners like Henry Thrun get into regular-season game action. Perhaps they’ll get into the fray if and when injuries strike. For now, it seems Craig Berube is sticking with his blue line as it is.
Primeau to Start in Goal for Toronto
Another interesting change could be in the crease. Maple Leafs starting netminder Anthony Stolarz did not practice with the main group on Sunday. That situation usually means he will not get the start on Monday.
In fact, the Leafs play back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday. So, considering that Stolarz played on Saturday, Cayden Primeau could likely get the nod on Monday against the Red Wings.
Meanwhile, Stolarz will most likely be back in the crease on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators at Scotiabank Arena.
The Leafs play four games this week, with the New York Rangers coming in on Thursday and the Seattle Kraken on Saturday night. Toronto closes its homestand next Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. The Leafs will then head on the road to Buffalo for a home-and-home set with the Sabres.
Finally, Toronto will play another back-to-back set against the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets to close out the month of October. As such, Primeau could be seeing quite a bit of action in the coming days, given Toronto’s packed schedule.
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