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Leafs Practice Notes: Robertson takes reps on 2nd power-play unit, Domi stays with Tavares, Nylander
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Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Arun Srinivasan
Apr 19, 2025, 12:30 EDTUpdated: Apr 19, 2025, 12:27 EDT
Ahead of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs held practice Saturday, where head coach Craig Berube provided an indication of what the lineup will look like Sunday against the Ottawa Senators.
Max Domi remained with John Tavares and William Nylander on the second forward unit, which appears to be Berube’s preferred second line via lines posted by Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.
It seemed possible that Bobby McMann would’ve been an option on the left wing, but Domi has played primarily with Tavares and Nylander through April, and the Leafs are sticking with some winning combinations, entering the playoffs on a 13-2-1 run.
McMann will feature on the left wing of Toronto’s third line, with Pontus Holmberg at centre, and Nick Robertson on the right wing. Robertson took reps with the second power play unit, joining Max Domi, Bobby McMann, Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Robertson was scratched for stretches of the regular season, but finished with 15 goals and 22 points in 69 games.
Toronto kept its five-forward top power play unit together, as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and Matthew Knies have been imperative to a group that converted at a 24.8 percent clip during the regular season, tied for the 8th-best mark in the NHL alongside the Colorado Avalanche.
Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson participated in practice and appear to be ready for Game 1. McCabe has been out of the lineup since April 2, while Ekman-Larsson has been out since April 9, as both players were recovering from injuries to close out the season. McCabe was reunited with Chris Tanev, while Ekman-Larsson joined Simon Benoit, providing the Maple Leafs with their optimal defence pairings going into Game 1.
Max Pacioretty, David Kampf and Ryan Reaves were the extra forwards, while Philippe Myers and Dakota Mermis were the extra defencemen.

Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Senators

Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Max Domi-John Tavares-William Nylander
Bobby McMann-Pontus Holmberg-Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok
Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev 
Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo 
Simon Benoit-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Anthony Stolarz (projected starter) 
Joseph Woll

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