Maple Leafs Lineup Changes Ahead of Islanders Game
In an effort to optimize their performance, the Toronto Maple Leafs are making a strategic alteration to their lineup ahead of their Saturday night confrontation with the New York Islanders. Philippe Myers, who saw a minimal 8:41 of ice time during Toronto’s thrilling 6-5 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, has been removed from the roster. In his place, Matt Benning is slated to make his debut with the Maple Leafs.
Benning’s Acquisition and Experience
Benning was acquired by Toronto from the San Jose Sharks on October 31, 2024, as part of a trade that involved Timothy Liljegren, along with a couple of draft picks. The seasoned defenseman, boasting over 450 games of NHL experience, has been competing with the AHL’s Marlies since joining the organization.
Coaching Decisions and Player Insights
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube decided this change was necessary following Myers’ performance, where he was involved in three goals against. Berube expressed eagerness to evaluate Benning’s capabilities, noting the player’s strong display during training camp.
“He’s a competitor with significant NHL experience—nearing 500 games—so he’ll be stepping in for Myers tonight,”
Berube stated on Saturday morning.
“He excels at making quick, effective passes. His experience is valuable, and he’s a skilled skater with a competitive edge. He really fought for his spot during camp,”
the coach added. Currently, Benning has registered two goals and eight assists in 16 games with the Marlies this season.
Benning’s Perspective
Reflecting on this opportunity, the 31-year-old Benning mentioned,
“I think my confidence is holding steady. I’ve enjoyed getting consistent ice time in the AHL. Naturally, I aspire to be with the Leafs, but I prefer not to dwell on hypotheticals. I’ve been part of this organization for a considerable time. It’s essential to stay focused and not let my thoughts spiral out of control—just putting one foot in front of the other and being a good teammate.”
Defensive Pairings Adjustments
With Benning now in the lineup and Myers out, Berube adjusted the defense pairings: Troy Stecher will partner with Morgan Rielly; Jake McCabe will be teamed up with Oliver Ekman-Larsson; and Simon Benoit will line up alongside Benning.
In light of the recent performance, Stecher’s pairing with Rielly will be noteworthy following an impressive game against the Jets, where he clocked in at an impressive 24:53 minutes of ice time and scored a goal.
“I believe Stecher will integrate well regardless of the pairing,”
Berube acknowledged.
“He maintains his consistent play style, which is crucial. His ability to adapt to slightly different roles while retaining his fundamentals—competing hard, skating well, and making those first passes—will certainly serve us well alongside Rielly, who enjoys pushing up the ice. However, we need to ensure there’s clear communication so both can effectively contribute at different times.”
Goaltending Situation
In goal, Joseph Woll is anticipated to make his 15th start of the season, despite being substituted during the Jets game after conceding four goals on 17 shots. Backup Dennis Hildeby came in and successfully minimized damage, stopping 22 out of 23 shots. Berube reassured that Woll was always intended to start against the Islanders. This season, the 27-year-old netminder boasts an 8-4-1 record complemented by a .916 save percentage over 14 games.
