#lineup-changes

#lineup-changes

Benoit was absent from the Leafs lineup on Saturday as he flew home to attend a funeral. He re-joined the team on Monday for practice with head coach Craig Berube confirming that he would be back in the lineup against the Panthers. Dakota Mermis, meanwhile, will be the one coming out as the Leafs look to start stringing some wins together amidst a slow start to the season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs finally have some good news on the injury front, as forward Scott Laughton returns to the lineup after missing six games with an upper-body injury sustained against the Boston Bruins on November 8. It's a much-needed boost for a lineup still juggling key absences and looking to build momentum after a gutsy 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night.

With two on and two out in Game 5's fourth inning, Tommy Edman swung underneath a Trey Yesavage slider that stayed above the zone and dropped his head in disgust. His batted ball sailed high and fell harmlessly into the glove of Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Andrés Giménez, halting an early threat against a budding ace who was just beginning to find his rhythm.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider made several moves to his starting lineup for Saturday's Game 2 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Infielder Bo Bichette, who made his first game appearance in seven weeks in Toronto's 11-4 Game 1 win, was available off the bench. Isiah Kiner-Falefa got the start at second base with outfielders Nathan Lukes and Addison Barger drawing in for Davis Schneider and Myles Straw.

With Vincent Trocheck out, the Rangers lines tonight are changing, though likely not as much as people would like. There will be no recalls, so no prospects are rejoining the Rangers. Juuso Parssinen draws in as Mika Zibanejad shifts back to centering the top line and Conor Sheary replaces Zibanejad at wing on the second line. Parssinen will take Sheary's spot on the third line.

Oh, that was magical last night! Glorious. We're all riding high but we've still got a job to do and won't lose focus on what's in front of us. What with Abreu back in the lineup (still great to see him after his long absence), a lot of guys getting a rest day, and another start by rookie Connelly Early, it feels like we have a fairly fresh-faced lineup today.