John Tavares returns to the Maple Leafs lineup tonight against Montreal after missing nine games, and Gavin McKenna drops to the second power-play unit.
Tavares went down with a lower-body injury on Oct. 15. Toronto is 8-7-2 and sits seventh in the Atlantic Division, so getting a former first overall pick back matters.
His return comes with a twist at even strength. Jim Hiller has juggled his lines all month, but one thing looks like it will stick: Nick Paul as the second-line center, with Tavares on the left wing and William Nylander on the right.
Tavares on the wing is out of the ordinary. He is expected to slide straight back onto the top power-play unit, though, and that is where the bump happens.
Toronto's lineup has changed constantly during games too, so tonight's projected combinations may not be what you see for 60 minutes.
Paul has 6 points in 17 games this season. Asking him to anchor a line with Nylander, who has 21 points, is a questionable bet, and Hiller needs more from that spot than he has been getting.
How McKenna took the demotion
Somebody had to come off the top unit, and it was the rookie. McKenna, the first overall pick in 2026, has 3 power-play goals and 2 power-play assists among his 11 points.
Losing that role is never welcome news. McKenna didn't make it a problem when he spoke to reporters.
"I am 18. There are a lot of guys on this team who have been in this league for a long time and know how to play [on the power play]," he said. He added that being on a second power play in the NHL "feels pretty good."
It's a mature answer from an 18-year-old, and it also gives Hiller room to manage the minutes without a fuss. You can read more on that in our look at Hiller bumping McKenna off the top PP unit.
Hiller also told reporters Wednesday that he wants Nylander more involved in the breakout, which fits with William Nylander's changing role under Hiller. Whether a lineup with Tavares on the left wing helps that plan is the question tonight's game starts to answer.
Quick hits
WASHINGTON CAPITALS: Jordan Kyrou still has no goal song, and his first choice just got vetoed in the locker room. Rough start to the process.
-
DALLAS STARS: The Stars open a three-game homestand tonight against the Sharks, and they have a home-ice problem to solve. Good time to fix it.
-
UTAH MAMMOTH: Gabriel Lepage reported that prospect Caleb Desnoyers got a reality check a few weeks ago. He still says he trusts the organization.
-
BUFFALO SABRES: Zach Benson's embellishment penalty against the Blue Jackets last night is still the talk of Sabres fans, with Conor Garland in the middle of it.
-
DETROIT RED WINGS: Helene St. James wrote this morning that Anton Johansson and William Wallinder are helping mask the absence of Simon Edvinsson.
-
Should the Maple Leafs keep Gavin McKenna on the top power-play unit over John Tavares?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
The Dylan Larkin saga just got stranger after a new report from outside the arena
