Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander and Morgan Rielly are both game-time decisions for Saturday’s contest against the Buffalo Sabres, head coach Craig Berube revealed.
Nylander is a true game-time decision after leaving Friday’s contest during the third period with an unspecified ailment. Berube added that he expects Rielly will play but he will be monitoring him during the warmup.
“If he’s able to go, he’ll play. We’ll see how he feels coming in here today,” Berube said of Nylander on Saturday afternoon.
Nylander leads the Maple Leafs with three goals and 14 points, ranking second in NHL scoring behind Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel prior to Saturday’s slate.
Rielly suffered an injury during Tuesday’s loss to the New Jersey Devils and missed Friday’s game. The 31-year-old has recorded two goals and six points through seven games this season.
Nick Robertson will draw back into the lineup after being scratched for Friday’s game against the Sabres. Robertson has recorded one assist through seven games this season.
Berube has been forced to reshuffle his lines amid a wave of injuries and inconsistent play throughout October. Chris Tanev and Scott Laughton are on injured reserve, while Joseph Woll is returning from a personal leave of absence.
Bobby McMann is projected to start on the top line alongside Auston Matthews, and Nylander’s status will dictate who will play on the right wing. Matthews scored his fifth goal of the season on Friday.
Cayden Primeau is expected to start for the Maple Leafs. Primeau won his lone start of the year, making 26 saves during a 7-4 win over the Nashville Predators on October 14.
Make sure to tune into The Nation Network’s watch-along doubleheader! Zack Phillips and special guests will be live on The Leafs Nation’s YouTube channel to watch Leafs-Sabres, followed by Adam Peddle and Nick Paleolog going live on Blue Jays Today’s YouTube channel for Game 2 of the World Series.
Maple Leafs’ projected lines vs. Sabres
Bobby McMann-Auston Matthews-William Nylander* OR Easton Cowan
Matthew Knies-John Tavares-Matias Maccelli
Dakota Joshua-Nicolas Roy-Nick Robertson*
Steven Lorentz-Max Domi-Calle Jarnkrok
Morgan Rielly*-Brandon Carlo
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Jake McCabe
Simon Benoit OR Dakota Mermis*-Philippe Myers
Cayden Primeau (projected starter)
Anthony Stolarz
*Asterisks denote game-time decisions