Leafs practice notes: Nylander granted maintenance day, Robertson moved to Matthews' line

"Nick Robertson joined Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies on the top line, while John Tavares centred Max Domi and Easton Cowan on the second line. Matthews, Knies and Nicolas Roy all returned from injury-related multi-game absences on Wednesday. It appears that Matias Maccelli will be a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game, operating as an alternate during practice, via lines posted by TSN's Mark Masters. Maccelli has recorded four goals and nine points in 21 games, and hasn't met preseason expectations."

"Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube elected to run a five-forward power play on Wednesday, and continued with this format during Thursday's practice. Matthews, Knies, Tavares, Cowan were part of the first unit, with Domi and Maccelli alternating on the flank. Toronto's second unit consisted of Robertson, Roy, McMann, along with defencemen Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Joseph Woll may be in line to start his sixth consecutive game."

"Woll was outstanding for the Maple Leafs in Wednesday's victory, making 35 stops. Dennis Hildeby is operating as the Maple Leafs' backup, and if Woll starts Friday, Hildeby will be expected to start Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Maple Leafs' practice lines Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Nick Robertson Max Domi-John Tavares-Easton Cowan Dakota Joshua-Nicolas Roy-Bobby McMann Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok Morgan Rielly-Oliver Ekman-Larsson Dakota Mermis-Troy Stecher Joseph Woll (projected starter)"

William Nylander was granted a maintenance day and did not participate in Thursday's practice. Nick Robertson skated on the top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, while John Tavares centred Max Domi and Easton Cowan on the second line. Matias Maccelli appears to be a healthy scratch for a second consecutive game; he has four goals and nine points in 21 games and has not met preseason expectations. Coach Craig Berube continued a five-forward power-play structure with Matthews, Knies, Tavares and Cowan on the first unit and Domi/Maccelli alternating on the flank. Joseph Woll is projected to start and Dennis Hildeby will serve as the backup.

Read at TheLeafsNation