Maple Leafs reveal shocking unexpected lineup for game against Canadiens

The Toronto Maple Leafs want to build momentum from a first preseason win this past Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens. That came as a little bit of relief after a few nail-biting moments earlier in the week that included injury scares to key players Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares. The regular season is closing in, and the Leafs are eager to refine their lineup, but on the ice tonight, fans can expect a shockingly different roster from that of their regular lineup.

Toronto has announced their lineup for tonight, and it's an obvious indication the coaching staff isn't taking any chances. Most of the star players won't play, with some still recovering from minor injuries and others being wrapped in cotton wool to save energy for the grind that is the season ahead. Instead, it will be an opportunity to get a read on some of the prospects and fringe players jostling for a place on the main roster. This rotation is very important in assessing the team's depth and making sure that when the regular season starts, all of them are fit for battle.

From camp, one of the players who will be under a lot of scrutiny would have to be Easton Cowan, who, after three preseason games, remains a frontrunner for a main squad spot. The delivery under pressure will fall under a microscope as his coaching staff evaluates how NHL-ready he can be. Another player looking to atone and prove himself is Nick Robertson, who accidentally created the play that injured William Nylander in their first outing against Montreal. His focus will be on playing a clean, smart game to restore confidence in his ability to contribute without putting teammates at risk.

Also, Steven Lorentz, who is on a professional tryout with the Leafs, will play as he gets closer to a full recovery from an injury he sustained early in training camp. If he can stay healthy, he could be a real asset to the team's bottom-six forward group and help them win more faceoffs. Another player who looked very energetic and hungry on the ice during his first game in Ottawa was Nikita Grebenkin. His aggressive style, namely a memorable fight with Adam Gaudette, could bring some much-needed grit into the roster.

As far as the rest of the lineup goes, many of the players will be AHL regulars simply looking to get some experience against NHL competition before returning to the minors. For prospects such as Denis Hildeby and Marshall Rifai, it could put them front and center for possible call-ups during the season. The stakes are high for these young men, with a good showing potentially fast-tracking their path to the NHL.

While there aren't the typically recognizable faces Leafs fans know and love on the ice, Saturday's game serves a purpose: to continue preseason proceedings for the club. This becomes the opportunity for fringe players and prospects to show themselves, especially, and plead their case for inclusion in the regular season lineup. The result of this game may, therefore, go a long way in establishing how deep and prepared the team is going to be as they head into what looks likely to be another competitive season. And as will be expected, these performances are something the coaching staff and the fans alike will keenly pay attention to, in order to see who rises to the occasion.