Easton Cowan has returned to the Toronto Maple Leafs as they prepare to face their rivals, the Ottawa Senators, this Saturday. This marks Cowan’s first game in nearly a month. Head coach Craig Berube has confirmed he will play alongside Bobby McMann and Nicolas Roy.
Maple Leafs Lineup Changes
Following Cowan’s absence, Berube emphasized the need for him to regain his on-ice experience. “He’s a young kid and a good player. He needs to play,” Berube stated. Cowan has previously shown signs of promise but appeared overwhelmed in earlier games.
- McMann will shift down to the third line.
- Matthew Knies will elevate to the top line.
- Nick Robertson will join Scott Laughton and Dakota Joshua.
The head coach also announced that Calle Jarnkrok and Steven Lorentz will not be in the lineup after participating as extra forwards during practice.
Performance Insights
Cowan, 20, has scored seven goals and accumulated 17 points in 43 games this season. However, the Maple Leafs have struggled lately. They were outscored 9-3 during a two-game road trip against Tampa Bay and Florida. This performance has left them at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, trailing eight points behind the final wild-card spot.
Senators’ Recent Struggles
The Ottawa Senators entered the Olympic break with momentum, winning four of their last five games and reentering the playoff race. Yet, their return was marked by a narrow 2-1 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings, keeping them five points behind the Bruins for the final playoff spot.
Tim Stutzle, who missed the morning skate due to an illness, will be available to play against the Maple Leafs. Coach Travis Green confirmed that Linus Ullmark will start in goal, remaining consistent with their previous game lineup.
Battle of Ontario
The Senators face pressure to improve their performance after a disappointing 7-5 loss to the Maple Leafs in their earlier meeting this season. Over the last five matchups against Toronto, Ottawa holds a record of 2 wins and 3 losses. Furthermore, the Maple Leafs had edged the Senators in a first-round playoff series last season, winning in six games.
