Leafs lines at morning skate: Knies-Matthews-Marner Holmberg-Tavares-Nylander McMann-Domi-Robertson Lorentz-Laughton-Jarnkrok McCabe-Tanev Rielly-Carlo Benoit-OEL Woll (projected starter)
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Scenes from Leafs’ morning skate: Matthews, Marner reunited, Laughton dropped to ‘identity line’

Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Mar 17, 2025, 11:47 EDTUpdated: Mar 17, 2025, 11:46 EDT
The new-look Toronto Maple Leafs lasted approximately one game, as Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner were reunited on the team’s top line during Monday’s morning skate.
Matthews and Marner skated alongside Matthew Knies, which has been the Maple Leafs’ most commonly-used group. Pontus Holmberg was moved to the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander, Bobby McMann, Max Domi and Nick Robertson were reunited on the third line, while deadline acquisition Scott Laughton centred the fourth line with Steven Lorentz and Calle Jarnkrok.
Joseph Woll is the projected starter, after Anthony Stolarz played in consecutive games.
Max Pacioretty and Jani Hakanpaa took part in individual sessions prior to the morning skate, but did not join the team for the formal portion.
Berube was vocal throughout the skate, and drew up some plays, spending a minute going over key details before the skate officially commenced.
“We have to get that battle level and that urgency level up. Guys understand that. They’re not very happy right now, which is a good thing,” Berube said during his media availability Monday.
Scott Laughton forms identity line, Berube demands urgency
Scott Laughton was a key deadline add, but he hasn’t had instant success with the Maple Leafs. Berube dropped Laughton to the fourth line ahead of Monday’s game, and explained the rationale behind his decision.
“Just success that we’ve had and the chemistry they have. I wanted to create a line of with Laughton and Lorentz and Jarny, just more of an identity line, a checking line,” Berube said.
Laughton hasn’t registered a point with the Maple Leafs, and he hasn’t provided the defensive impact that he was ostensibly added for. As the Maple Leafs prepare for their upcoming playoff run, it looks like Berube is still tinkering with his optimal combinations.
“His best game was last game, way more involved playing his type of hockey that he plays,” Berube said of Laughton. “That was one of the thoughts going into putting this line together, that’s probably a good line for him, playing that hard hockey, that heavy hockey, checking hockey, physical, playing with those two guys. We’ll see how it goes.”
Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Flames
Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Pontus Holmberg-John Tavares-William Nylander
Bobby McMann-Max Domi-Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok
Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev
Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo
Simon Benoit-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Joseph Woll (projected starter)
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