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Leafs practice notes: Nick Robertson joins Max Domi on 3rd line, Easton Cowan used as 13th forward
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Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
TLN Staff
Oct 6, 2025, 12:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 6, 2025, 12:29 EDT
We’re two days from the regular season opener, and the Toronto Maple Leafs provided a look at the lineup that will be playing Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens.
Nick Robertson joined Max Domi and Dakota Joshua on Toronto’s third line. Robertson was fighting for his place on the roster throughout training camp and was Toronto’s best player in Saturday’s 6-5 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube initially planed to place Domi on Toronto’s top line alongside Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews, but spoke about the need for another centre after Scott Laughton suffered a lower-body injury Thursday that will keep him out week-to-week.
Nicolas Roy centred the fourth line, with Steven Lorentz on the left wing, and Calle Jarnkrok on the right wing. Easton Cowan operated as the team’s 13th forward and rotated into line rushes alongside Jarnkrok. Cowan was widely thought to have secured his spot on the fourth line for opening night, but Laughton’s injury changed Berube’s initial plans.
“We got decisions to make, but I think he showed us enough that he is ready. I mean, he’s got a motor on him. Like, he’s just constantly working and he’s got a high IQ. I like him a lot,” Berube said of Cowan via TSN’s Mark Masters, after Saturday’s preseason loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
Berube told reporters following Monday’s practice that no decision has been made on Cowan’s status, but he remains with the team.
Toronto’s defensive pairings remain intact, with Jake McCabe and Chris Tanev on the top pair, Morgan Rielly with Brandon Carlo, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Simon Benoit as the third grouping. Henry Thrun (waivers) and Philippe Myers operated as the fourth pairing in Monday’s practice.
There are still final cuts to be made, but there’s some clarity as to the lineup for Wednesday’s season opener.

Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Canadiens

Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Matias Maccelli
Bobby McMann-John Tavares-William Nylander
Dakota Joshua-Max Domi-Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz-Nicolas Roy-Calle Jarnkrok
Easton Cowan 
Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev
Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Simon Benoit
Anthony Stolarz (projected starter) 
Dennis Hildeby

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