Toronto Maple Leafs News

Benning has a five-month expected recovery ahead of him after undergoing successful hip surgery and, as a result, will miss the remainder of the season. Benning played 14 games for the Sharks this season, blocking 29 shots, scoring two points (0G / 2A), and averaging 18:29 time-on-ice.

Groulx will make his first appearance since December 17th as the Ducks deal with a mix of illnesses and injuries. He is yet to score a goal and has just one assist in 20 games this season.

With Toronto playing their second game in as many nights when they travel to Anaheim on Wednesday, Sheldon Keefe is opting to get a pair of fresh legs into the lineup as Pontus Holmberg will draw into the lineup in place of Robertson. It's the first time Robertson has been listed as a healthy scratch since he was recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) on November 6th. Robertson has five goals and six assists in 24 games this season.

Lettieri played on 7:04 time-on-ice on Saturday, suffering a lower-body injury, and did not play on Sunday. He has now been placed on IR and will miss at least one week. In 19 games with Minnesota, Lettieri has four points (3G / 1A), 26 shots, and 21 hits.

With Ilya Samsonov clearing waivers and being assigned to Toronto (AHL) earlier this week, Dennis Hildeby has earned his first career NHL call-up from the Marlies. The 22-year-old was Toronto's 2022 fourth-round pick (122th overall) and had an impressive 7-5-3 record, .919 SV% and 2.20 GAA with the Marlies (AHL) in 2023-24 prior to his call up.

Chadwick was drafted in the sixth round (185th overall) by the Maple Leafs in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old defenseman has 24 points (7G / 17A) in 30 games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the Western Hockey League this season.

Lorentz will be a healthy scratch on Saturday, allowing Anton Lundell to return to the lineup after missing four games due to an illness. Lorentz has been a regular in the lineup this season, scoring three points (1G / 2A) and registering 28 hits while averaging 8:35 time-on-ice through 25 games.

Mermis will play for the first time since last Thursday as he takes the place of Daemon Hunt on the Wild blue-line. Mermis has two goals and three assists in 15 games this season.

Emil Heineman will make his NHL debut on Thursday as Pezzetta will watch from the press box as a healthy scratch. Pezzetta had played four straight games for the Canadiens, recording one point (0G / 1A), three shots, and 15 hits.

Matthews was a late scratch and did not play on Saturday due to an illness but is expected to return for the Maple Leafs on Tuesday against the New York Rangers after being a full participant at the morning skate. Matthews is producing at an alarming rate, with 10 points (7G / 3A) during a four-game point streak.

Groulx will be the odd-man out on Monday as Leo Carlsson draws back into the Ducks' lineup. Groulx has no goals and just one assist in 20 games this season.

Lettieri will be a surprise addition to the Wild lineup after Mats Zuccarello was announced as a late scratch for Monday's game. Lettieri last played on November 30th and has just two goals and one assist in 13 games this season.

Stolarz will start for the third time this month and look for his second consecutive victory, building off a 17-save performance (.895 SV%) in a 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 10th. The 29-year-old netminder has played well when called upon this season, posting a 2.19 GAA and .914 SV% through eight games (4-2-1). The Panthers are -117 road favourites on Monday against the Calgary Flames, who have lost four of their last five (1-2-2) and will welcome back their starting goalie, Jacob Markstrom.