Toronto Maple Leafs lines vs Blackhawks: Expected lineups and goalies

2023-10-17 05:49

The Maple Leafs will welcome 2023 No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard to Toronto for the first time and here's a look at the expected lines, lineups and goalies for the Oct. 16 matchup.

The Toronto Maple Leafs (2-0-0) are preparing for their third game of the season as they host rookie sensation Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks (1-2-0) for the first time this season at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Oct. 16.

NHL First Star of the Week Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs will return a mostly unchanged lineup, featuring a new starter in goal for Bedard to face.

Toronto Maple Leafs lines vs Chicago Blackhawks, Oct. 16

Forwards

Line 1: Tyler Bertuzzi - Auston Matthews - Mitchell Marner
Line 2: Calle Jarnkrok - John Tavares - William Nylander
Line 3: Matthew Knies - Fraser Minten - Max Domi
Line 4:Noah Gregor - David Kampf - Ryan Reaves
**Bold denotes rookie skater**

Defense

Line 1: Morgan Rielly - T.J. Brodie
Line 2: Jake McCabe - John Klingberg
Line 3: Mark Giordano - Timothy Liljegren

Goalies

Starter: Joseph Woll
Backup: Ilya Samsonov

Joseph Woll will make his first start of the season after making the Maple Leafs outright at the expense of the injured Matt Murray. Woll, 25, went 6-1-0 in seven regular games with the Leafs last year and 1-2-0 in the playoffs.

2022 second-round pick Fraser Minten is playing his third-ever game of professional hockey, and will do so alongside wingers Matthew Knies and Max Domi. The 19-year-old has no AHL experience and has made the jump to the NHL fresh off of his third season in the WHL with the Kamloops Blazers.

For the Blackhawks, former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall (shoulder) is expected to be available after sitting out against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 14. He'll assume his regular role on the Blackhawks' first line and top power play unit alongside Bedard.

Former Maple Leafs goaltender Petr Mrazek is expected to make his third start of the season for the Blackhawks against Toronto.

Chicago Blackhawks lines at Toronto Maple Leafs, Oct. 16

Forwards