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Leafs practice notes: Max Domi moved up to 1st line, Easton Cowan skates among extras
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Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
TLN Staff
Oct 20, 2025, 12:30 EDTUpdated: Oct 20, 2025, 12:24 EDT
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube appears to be making some changes to the lineup ahead of Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils.
Berube wasn’t pleased with his team’s efforts during a 4-3 overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday. Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz took it a step further, calling his team out for not protecting him in the crease while he was crashed into multiple times. Stolarz also cited William Nylander and Auston Matthews for not tracking back during the game-winning goal.
“ It’s just playing hard. Maybe we can take a page out of their book and start getting to the net,” Stolarz said Saturday. “For us, we like to go low to high and shoot, but for their goalie, it’s like playing catch in the yard: you’re seeing everything. We’re not making it difficult.  We made it difficult in the third, and look what happened. We came out, tied the game, got a point out of it, almost scored with five seconds left. But it’s a little, too little, too late.”
Max Domi was moved onto the first line right wing spot, joining Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews. Matias Maccelli, John Tavares and William Nylander remained intact as the Maple Leafs’ second line, while Dakota Joshua, Nicolas Roy and Bobby McMann formed the third line. Nick Robertson and Calle Jarnrkok flanked Steven Lorentz, who centred the fourth line during Monday’s practice.
This would constitute a real effort to shake up the lines, as Easton Cowan skated among the extras. Cowan has been a bright spot for the Maple Leafs through his first four games, but has one assist to show for it. Cowan extended plays well within the offensive zone and drew two penalties during Saturday’s loss, but Berube ultimately is looking for more goals across the board.

Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Devils

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

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