The Toronto Maple Leafs are back in action on Friday night against the Buffalo Sabres. This game comes after a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, a contest marked by a particularly rough second period that ultimately cost them the game.
### Line Combinations Shaken Up at Practice
When the team hit the ice for practice on October 23rd, head coach Craig Berube made significant changes to the line combinations, throwing the usual trios and duos into a blender. The result was a series of surprising new groupings that are sure to raise a few eyebrows among fans.
### Craig Berube Completely Shuffles the Top-Six
Some of the most notable shifts occurred within the top-six forward group. In their recent loss to the Devils, the top line featured Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and Max Domi. The second line centered John Tavares with Matias Maccelli and William Nylander on the wings.
At practice on October 23, the top six looked like this:
– Bobby McMann
– Auston Matthews
– William Nylander
– Matthew Knies
– John Tavares
– Matias Maccelli
Bobby McMann has previously skated alongside Matthews this season, logging 3:13 together with Knies on the opposite wing. McMann’s strong scoring rate at even strength since the start of the 2023-24 season makes this new arrangement promising.
Shifting Knies down to the second line with Maccelli and Tavares also seems like a smart move. Knies can take on the role of finisher, benefiting from Tavares and Maccelli’s playmaking abilities.
### Bottom-Six Forwards and Extras
The third and fourth lines saw some adjustments as well, though not as dramatic as the top two lines. Nic Roy and Dakota Joshua remained on the third line, while Steve Lorentz and Calle Jarnkrok continued as a pair on the fourth line.
Easton Cowan was inserted into the lineup, replacing the promoted Bobby McMann. This change resulted in Nick Robertson being shifted out of the lineup and Max Domi dropping down to center the new fourth line.
Head coach Craig Berube has praised Cowan’s work ethic, making his return to the lineup a reasonable decision. However, choosing to bench Robertson while the organization is actively trying to trade him raises some curiosity.
### Defensive Pairings Adjusted Without Chris Tanev
Earlier on Thursday, October 23, 2025, the Maple Leafs announced that defenseman Chris Tanev had been placed on injured reserve retroactive to October 21, 2025. Following this move, the team recalled Dakota Mermis from the Toronto Marlies.
Here were the defense pairings observed at practice:
– Jake McCabe – Brandon Carlo
– Dakota Mermis – Erik Ekman-Larsson
– Simon Benoit – Philippe Myers
Mermis skated on what is believed to be Morgan Rielly’s pairing, although Rielly himself was absent from practice, according to David Alter of The Hockey News.
Jake McCabe, who was previously paired with Tanev, has most frequently partnered with Brandon Carlo since Tanev’s injury. Simon Benoit and Philippe Myers formed the third defensive pairing. If this setup holds for Friday’s game, it will mark Myers’ first appearance this season. Last year, Myers recorded five points in 36 games, averaging 16:14 of ice time per game.
### What to Expect Moving Forward
It’s not surprising to see these new defensive and forward pairings given the circumstances around Tanev’s injury. How long these combinations last remains to be seen, but it will be interesting to monitor the team’s chemistry and performance once the puck drops on Friday night against Buffalo.
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