Leafs practice notes: Nylander granted maintenance day, Robertson moved to Matthews’ line

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander was granted a maintenance day and did not participate in Thursday’s practice.

Nylander scored the game-winning goal in Wednesday’s 2-1 overtime victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old has recorded 11 goals and 31 points, tied for 5th in NHL scoring prior to Thursday’s games.

Nick Robertson joined Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies on the top line, while John Tavares centred Max Domi and Easton Cowan on the second line. Matthews, Knies and Nicolas Roy all returned from injury-related multi-game absences on Wednesday.

It appears that Matias Maccelli will be a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game, operating as an alternate during practice, via lines posted by TSN’s Mark Masters. Maccelli has recorded four goals and nine points in 21 games, and hasn’t met preseason expectations, while primarily operating in top-six roles. Dakota Joshua was also among the scratches Wednesday, but it appears he’ll be back in the lineup, and was paired with Roy and Bobby McMann during practice.

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube elected to run a five-forward power play on Wednesday, and continued with this format during Thursday’s practice. Matthews, Knies, Tavares, Cowan were part of the first unit, with Domi and Maccelli alternating on the flank. Toronto’s second unit consisted of Robertson, Roy, McMann, along with defencemen Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Joseph Woll may be in line to start his sixth consecutive game. Woll was outstanding for the Maple Leafs in Wednesday’s victory, making 35 stops. Dennis Hildeby is operating as the Maple Leafs’ backup, and if Woll starts Friday, Hildeby will be expected to start Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Maple Leafs’ practice lines

Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Nick Robertson

Max Domi-John Tavares-Easton Cowan

Dakota Joshua-Nicolas Roy-Bobby McMann

Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok 

Morgan Rielly-Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Simon Benoit-Jake McCabe

Dakota Mermis-Troy Stecher

Joseph Woll (projected starter) 

Dennis Hildeby