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Anthony Stolarz projects to start vs. Capitals, Pacioretty skates, Matthews-Marner reunion continues
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Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
TLN Staff
Dec 6, 2024, 12:50 ESTUpdated: Dec 6, 2024, 12:48 EST
Anthony Stolarz is the projected starter for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Washington Capitals for Friday’s game.
Stolarz was in the home net during the morning skate, indicating he’s likely returning to the net. The 30-year-old is off to an excellent start to the season, posting a 8-4-2 record with a .924 save percentage and 2.23 goals against average. Stolarz’s start Friday likely means that Joseph Woll will be the starter Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Jake McCabe, Max Domi and Max Pacioretty participated in Friday’s skate. McCabe is missing his third consecutive game, after taking a puck to the face during Saturday’s win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was originally believed McCabe would return Wednesday against the Nashville Predators, after he appeared to be fine during practice sessions earlier in the week, but he is being held out again. McCabe was paired alongside Marshall Rifai during the morning session, while Philippe Myers remains in the lineup, partnered with Morgan Rielly.
Domi is out for the seventh consecutive game and it would seem unlikely at this point that he returns for Saturday’s game. Pacioretty is eligible to return from long-term injured reserve on Saturday, after suffering a lower-body injury during a November 9 contest against the Montreal Canadiens, where he clutched the back of his leg after taking a hit from Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson. If Pacioretty returns to the lineup, it’s possible that Nikita Grebenkin or Ryan Reaves will come out. Alex Nylander projects to be a healthy scratch Friday and could be returned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies when Pacioretty and other regulars may return.

Maple Leafs’ projected lineup:

Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner 
Pontus Holmberg-John Tavares-William Nylander 
Nick Robertson-Fraser Minten-Steven Lorentz
Nikita Grebenkin-Connor Dewar-Ryan Reaves 
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Chris Tanev
Morgan Rielly-Philippe Myers
Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins 
Anthony Stolarz (projected starter)
Joseph Woll

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