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Toronto Maple Leafs forced to make line changes due to John Tavares absence

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Tyler Ball
October 12, 2024  (12:40)
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Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares playing in an away game against the Calgary Flames during the 2023-24 NHL season.
Photo credit: USA Today

Today the Toronto Maple Leafs debuted new lines as star center John Tavares has been taken out of the lineup and is questionable for tonight's game.

The Toronto Maple Leafs matchup tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This morning the Maple Leafs conducted a morning skate and went through line rushes. Notably, veteran John Tavares was not on the ice and has now been ruled a game-time decision due to illness.

According to reports John Tavares has been dealing with the illness for a few days and played through it against the New Jersey Devils. Now things seem to have progressed and gotten worse potentially forcing him out of the lineup.

If John Tavares is forced out of the lineup the Toronto Maple Leafs will once again have to change their lineup last minute before game time. The Maple Leafs of course had this happen on opening night when Joseph Woll was injured. Woll was a last-minute scratch and eventually placed on injured reserve.

With John Tavares potentially out the Toronto Maple Leafs provided a preview of what tonight's lineup could look like.

Toronto Maple Leafs change their lineup after John Tavares illness

During practice, the Toronto Maple Leafs spent time with their new line combinations to gain chemistry before tonight's contest. Forward Ryan Reaves factors back into the lineup after being a scratch against the New Jersey Devils. Reaves was scratched due to his lack of involvement against the Montreal Canadiens on opening night. As for John Tavares' replacement, Max Domi will move to center after starting the season as a winger.

John Tavares is not the player he was when the Toronto Maple Leafs first signed him to a major contract. Last season Tavares put up 65 points in 80 total games. This season he has been slid down to a third-line role to begin the season for the Maple Leafs. Even if he is only playing a third-line role losing John Tavares could cause major issues for the Toronto Maple Leafs if they cannot get the chemistry right between the new lines.

Heading into the season many fans were wondering if Max Domi would get an opportunity to play center. Now with John Tavares potentially missing out he could get his opportunity. If John Tavares does miss tonight's game Pontus Holmberg will be asked to step up in a major way as the center alongside William Nylander.

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12 OCTOBRE   |   162 ANSWERS
Toronto Maple Leafs forced to make line changes due to John Tavares absence

Will John Tavares miss tonight's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins?

Yes11671.6 %
No4628.4 %
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