Toronto Maple Leafs’ line combinations versus the Florida Panthers for Round 2, Game 2

The Toronto Maple Leafs won Game 1 on Monday night against the Florida Panthers 5–4. However, the big story was Sam Bennett’s hit on Anthony Stolarz. Stolarz not only left the game midway through the second period, but was taken to the hospital via stretcher during the third period.

Ahead of Game 2 tonight, here are the Maple Leafs’ expected line combinations:

Forward lines

Matthew Knies–Auston Matthews–Mitch Marner

Max Pacioretty–John Tavares–William Nylander

Steven Lorentz–Scott Laughton–Calle Jarnkrok

Bobby McMann–Max Domi–Pontus Holmberg

Defence pairs

Morgan Rielly–Brandon Carlo

Jake McCabe–Chris Tanev

Simon Benoit–Oliver Ekman-Larson

Goaltenders

Starter: Joseph Woll

Backup: Matt Murray

No surprises to the forward lines or defensive pairs. Craig Berube is running pretty much the same line combinations as Game 1. The only minor change is that Max Domi is centering the fourth line with Bobby McMann on the left and Pontus Holmberg on the right.

Obviously Stolarz is not playing in tonight’s game. Joseph Woll will get the start between the pipes tonight, with Matt Murray as the backup. Woll has a .924 SV% and a 2.12 GAA in eight playoff games in his career. Woll stopped 17 out of 20 shots in Game 1, coming in cold for Stolarz and after not playing NHL hockey for three weeks.

For the Panthers, Aaron Ekblad draws back into the lineup after missing Game 1 due to a two-game suspension incurred in round one against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Panthers are hoping Ekblad can give them the boost they need to avoid going down 2–0 in the series.

It’s unlikely that the Maple Leafs will get five goals behind former two-time Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky for the second night in a row. The Maple Leafs will have to be prepared for the Panthers’ physicality and for a tight game with limited space to make decisions. Fortunately, this type of game is how they have played all season.