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Leafs practice notes: Woll projected to start vs. Ducks, Cowan remains on 1st line
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Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Arun Srinivasan
Mar 12, 2026, 11:48 EDTUpdated: Mar 12, 2026, 11:46 EDT
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll is the projected starter for Thursday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.
Woll is coming off a 30-save performance against the Montreal Canadiens, where he was the Maple Leafs’ best player in a 3-1 loss. The 27-year-old has recorded a .905 save percentage with a 13-11-4 record in 29 appearances this season.
Toronto called up Michael Pezzetta from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Pezzetta recorded four goals and 10 points in 37 games with the Marlies this season. He was placed on a line with Jacob Quillan and Calle Jarnkrok during the Leafs’ morning skate.
“Being from Toronto, growing up, all these moments when I was young. It’s super exciting. I could barely sleep last night,” Pezzetta said following the morning skate.
“He’s a guy who’s going to bring in lots of energy, good skater, strong skater. We’ll see how it goes,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of Pezzetta, following the morning skate.
Matthew Knies left the morning skate early, after taking a puck to the face, but he will play in Thursday’s game. Easton Cowan replaced Knies on the top power play unit for the remainder of the skate. Knies was originally placed on a line with John Tavares and Max Domi. Cowan will remain on the top line with Auston Matthews and William Nylander, generating a secondary assist on Nylander’s goal during Tuesday’s loss to the Canadiens. Oliver Ekman-Larsson will replace Morgan Rielly on the Leafs’ top power play unit.
“They’ve had some good stretches at times,” Berube said of the Cowan-Matthews-Nylander line. “Early on in the season, they were together for a bit. They did some good things. Good opportunity for Cowan. Thought he did a good job in Montreal, and that’s why I made that switch.”

Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Ducks

Easton Cowan-Auston Matthews-William Nylander
Matthew Knies-John Tavares-Max Domi 
Matias Maccelli-Bo Groulx-Nick Robertson
Michael Pezzetta-Jacob Quillan-Calle Jarnkrok
Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo
Jake McCabe-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Simon Benoit-Philippe Myers
Joseph Woll (projected starter) 
Anthony Stolarz