Toronto Maple Leafs News

Matthews has not played since suffering a lower-body injury from a Nikita Zadorov hit two weeks ago, but has been practicing for a week and could return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old Matthews has not been as dynamic as in previous seasons, but his goal-scoring prowess has been greatly missed by a Maple Leafs team that has lost seven of its last eight games (1-4-3). Matthews has 14 points (9G / 5A) through 17 games.

Marchenko will be further evaluated after exiting the Blue Jackets' morning skate early on Monday with an upper-body injury and will not play in their game against the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Marchenko has been terrific this season and his offense will be sorely missed. He has 22 points (8G / 14A) and 65 shots in 22 games this season.

McCabe exited Toronto's most recent game in the second period due to an upper-body injury, but he is expected to be ready to suit up on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 32-year-old McCabe is averaging 21:16 time-on-ice, recording 53 blocks, 30 hits, and 10 points (3G / 7A) in 22 games this season.

Marchenko will be further evaluated after exiting the Blue Jackets' morning skate early on Monday and is questionable for their game against the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Marchenko has been terrific this season, and his offense will be sorely missed if he is not able to suit up. He has 22 points (8G / 14A) and 65 shots in 22 games this season.

Merzlikins has taken a backseat to Jet Greaves in recent weeks, but he will return to the crease on Monday against the Washington Capitals. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has lost three straight (0-3-0), allowing 12 goals on 93 combined shots (.871 SV%). He has a 3.37 GAA and .900 SV% in eight games (4-4-0) and has not had a sub-3.00 GAA since the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. The Blue Jackets enter Monday's action as +142 road underdogs against a Capitals team that has scored 18 goals in its last three games (2-1-0).

Stolarz, originally considered day-to-day, has been sidelined since suffering an upper-body injury on November 11th. The team has not revealed concrete details about his injury, but this latest development suggests he is not close to returning. The 31-year-old Stolarz struggled before his injury, posting a 3.51 GAA and .884 SV% in 13 games (6-5-1). Expect Joseph Woll to see the brunt of the action while Stolarz is sidelined.

Paul underwent surgery in mid-September to address an upper-body injury and appears as though he could make his season debut on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 30-year-old Paul had 22 goals, 41 points, and 141 SOG in 76 games played last season.

The Panthers are a solid 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, but find themselves near the bottom of an extremely tight Eastern Conference. Bobrovsky returns to the crease on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils after salvaging an 8-5 win over the Vancouver Canucks in his most recent outing despite allowing five goals on 15 shots (.667 SV%). The 37-year-old Bobrovsky has a 2.80 GAA and .883 SV% in 14 games this season (9-5-0). The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as -139 home favorites against a New Jersey Devils team that has scored only three goals in two games (1-1-0) since learning they will be without Jack Hughes (finger) for several weeks.

Matthews has not played since suffering a lower-body injury from a Nikita Zadorov hit one week ago, but returned to practice on Tuesday, suggesting he is inching closer to a return. That said, Head Coach Craig Berube stated that he "obviously" would not be ready for Thursday's game against Columbus. The 28-year-old Matthews has not been as dynamic as in previous seasons early in 2025-26, scoring 14 points (9G / 5A) through 17 games, but the Leafs have lost five of six and will be eager for their captain to return to the lineup.

Matthews has not played since suffering a lower-body injury from a Nikita Zadorov hit one week ago, but returned to practice on Tuesday, suggesting he is inching closer to a return. The 28-year-old Matthews has not been as dynamic as in previous seasons early in 2025-26, scoring 14 points (9G / 5A) through 17 games, but the Leafs have lost five straight and will be eager for their captain to return to the lineup.

Quillan made his NHL debut last season, playing one game with the Maple Leafs, but has predominantly played at the AHL level. The undrafted 23-year-old forward has impressed with the Marlies (AHL) this season, scoring 14 points (2G / 12A) in 14 games.

Stecher was claimed off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers over the weekend, and he will draw into the lineup for his Maple Leafs' debut on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. Primarily a third-pairing defenseman with the Oilers, the 31-year-old Stecher averaged 13:37 time-on-ice through six games this season.

The 9-8-1 Panthers will turn to Bobrovsky on Monday against the 9-9-2 Vancouver Canucks. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky was serviceable in his most recent outing, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%), but did not receive ample goal support, losing 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bobrovsky has a 2.63 GAA and .893 SV% in 13 games this season (8-5-0). The Panthers enter Monday's contest as significant -282 home favorites against a Canucks team that erupted for five goals in the third period of their 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last night.

Merzlikins has been under the weather and will return to the crease for the first time in 10 days, tending the twine on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has been serviceable this season, posting a 3.14 GAA and .908 SV% in seven games (4-3-0). Merzlikins has recorded a sub-.900 SV% in three straight seasons prior to this one.

The 9-8-1 Panthers will likely turn to Bobrovsky on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky was serviceable in his most recent outing, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%), but did not receive ample goal support, losing 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bobrovsky has a 2.63 GAA and .893 SV% in 13 games this season (8-5-0). The Panthers enter Monday's contest as significant -282 home favorites against a Canucks team that erupted for five goals in the third period of their 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last night.