See more MLHS in Google Add MLHS as a preferred source + Add Before embarking on a difficult road trip, the Maple Leafs are hoping to salvage a split of their season-opening four-game homestand tonight against the Nashville Predators (7:00 p.m. EST, TSN4).
No such thing as a must-win in game four of the season, but starting 1-3-0 at home ahead of the VGK-COL-UTA road trip is certainly… unappealing.
Anthony Stolarz will start in goal—part of the plan from the outset, according to head coach Jim Hiller.
Game Day Quotes
Jim Hiller on the challenge against the Predators:
Saros has got a long history in the league as being one of the better goaltenders. Josi has been a perennial All-Star. Stamkos, perennial All-Star. Those scoring threats, and then the goaltender who makes it hard on you.
Andrew Brunette on facing a much-changed Leafs team:
They still have Matthews, Tavares, and Nylander, and they drive a lot. A lot of things are pretty similar in that respect. We have to respect who they are and how they play.
I think their power play scares me a little bit. We have to stay out of the box, especially when they’ve added Marchenko into that mix. He is a pretty special scorer who is pretty lethal there.
Their top two lines are heavy skill and their bottom two lines have an identity. They are trying to find themselves, too, like every team in the league right now.
Brunette on Gavin McKenna:
I have watched him a little bit in college and junior. He is a highly skilled player. With some of the things he sees, his playmaking ability is pretty elite. For a young player, at times, he looks really comfortable. We have to make him feel uncomfortable tonight.
Brunette on the keys for the Predators’ PK against the Leafs’ PP:
Stay out of the box.
Gavin McKenna on the biggest challenges of transitioning to the NHL:
I’d say probably just trying to get to the middle of the ice. It’s a tough league, and there’s not a whole lot of time and space. When you get those chances to find the middle of the ice, they don’t come very often, so you’ve got to make sure you’re there and you’re ready when you get that chance.
And just being simple. I think in juniors and college, you can kind of get away with trying to make moves at the blue line and stuff like that, and not getting the puck deep. But here, you only get so many chances a game. If you don’t make that play, then the puck’s probably back in your own end, and you’re playing in the D-zone, and then you’re off the ice. You’ve got to be smart with your decisions.
McKenna on his welcome-to-the-NHL moment:
I think just how hard it is. You come in, you believe in yourself, and I still believe in myself. But especially in the Toronto media, with putting up zero points in three games, I think you hear about it. Maybe that’s my welcome to the NHL.
McKenna on staying patient as he looks for his first NHL point:
It’s obviously not where you want to be, but at the end of the day, I’ve been on many streaks where I’ve put up no points. I had a tough start to college last year and started to figure things out there.
“I think just honestly learning from last year and learning from these first few games is going to be key, and just sticking with it, being confident. I know it’s going to come, so just keep working and have confidence.
Morgan Rielly on the team’s first three games:
If you watch the pace and the effort and the commitment, it’s all there. I think there’s probably room to improve when it comes to execution. Part of that is just it’s a new year and new players, new coaches and stuff, so I think it might just take a bit longer than normal. Ultimately, I think everyone is on board, and I think we’re going in the right direction. If we can clean up a couple things, we’ll be off and running.
2026–27 regular season Maple Leafs vs. Predators: By the Numbers Swipe the table to compare teams.
× 34 Auston Matthews 🇺🇸
C · Shoots: L · 6 ft 3 in · 214 lb
Age: 29 · Born 1997-09-17 · San Ramon, CA, USA
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $13,250,000
Current Linemates ↗: Kirill Marchenko, Jack Roslovic
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 1G 0A 1PTS -1+/- 3.3SOG/GP
57.7%5v5 CF% 50.0%5v5 GF% 0.33PTS/GP 51.2%FO%
21:29TOI/GP16:25EVTOI/GP4:44PPTOI/GP0:20PKTOI/GP
× 29
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Bo Groulx 🇨🇦
C/LW · Shoots: L · 6 ft 2 in · 202 lb
Age: 26 · Born 2000-02-06 · Rouen, FRA
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $812,500
Current Linemates ↗: Brandon Duhaime, Teddy Blueger
2026–27 NHL regular season
2GP 0G 0A 0PTS 0+/- 1.0SOG/GP
53.1%5v5 CF% N/A5v5 GF% 0.00PTS/GP 66.7%FO%
8:36TOI/GP7:53EVTOI/GP0:00PPTOI/GP0:43PKTOI/GP
× 24
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Brandon Duhaime 🇺🇸
LW · Shoots: L · 6 ft 2 in · 213 lb
Age: 29 · Born 1997-05-22 · Coral Springs, FL, USA
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $2,600,000
Current Linemates ↗: Teddy Blueger, Bo Groulx
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 0G 0A 0PTS 0+/- 0.7SOG/GP
36.5%5v5 CF% N/A5v5 GF% 0.00PTS/GP
11:11TOI/GP8:27EVTOI/GP0:00PPTOI/GP2:45PKTOI/GP
× 15
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Colton Sissons 🇨🇦
C/RW · Shoots: R · 6 ft 1 in · 207 lb
Age: 32 · Born 1993-11-05 · North Vancouver, BC, CAN
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $4,250,000
Current Linemates ↗: Easton Cowan, Nick Paul
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 1G 0A 1PTS -1+/- 2.0SOG/GP
61.5%5v5 CF% 33.3%5v5 GF% 0.33PTS/GP 56.5%FO%
13:35TOI/GP10:29EVTOI/GP0:00PPTOI/GP3:06PKTOI/GP
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Easton Cowan 🇨🇦
LW/RW · Shoots: L · 6 ft 0 in · 189 lb
Age: 21 · Born 2005-05-20 · Mount Brydges, ON, CAN
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $900,000
Current Linemates ↗: Nick Paul, Colton Sissons
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 1G 2A 3PTS 1+/- 1.3SOG/GP
70.0%5v5 CF% 66.6%5v5 GF% 1.00PTS/GP
13:49TOI/GP11:17EVTOI/GP2:01PPTOI/GP0:31PKTOI/GP
× 92
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Gavin McKenna 🇨🇦
LW · Shoots: L · 5 ft 11 in · 164 lb
Age: 18 · Born 2007-12-20 · Whitehorse, YT, CAN
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $1,075,000
Current Linemates ↗: John Tavares, William Nylander
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 0G 0A 0PTS -3+/- 1.0SOG/GP
37.8%5v5 CF% 0.0%5v5 GF% 0.00PTS/GP
14:32TOI/GP12:06EVTOI/GP2:25PPTOI/GP0:02PKTOI/GP
× 96
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Jack Roslovic 🇺🇸
RW · Shoots: R · 6 ft 1 in · 195 lb
Age: 29 · Born 1997-01-29 · Columbus, OH, USA
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $4,000,000
Current Linemates ↗: Kirill Marchenko, Auston Matthews
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 0G 1A 1PTS 1+/- 2.0SOG/GP
58.7%5v5 CF% 100.0%5v5 GF% 0.33PTS/GP 62.5%FO%
15:59TOI/GP13:25EVTOI/GP2:34PPTOI/GP0:00PKTOI/GP
× 91
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John Tavares 🇨🇦
C · Shoots: L · 6 ft 1 in · 211 lb
Age: 36 · Born 1990-09-20 · Mississauga, ON, CAN
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $4,389,280
Current Linemates ↗: Gavin McKenna, William Nylander
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 0G 2A 2PTS -2+/- 2.7SOG/GP
44.0%5v5 CF% 40.0%5v5 GF% 0.67PTS/GP 43.2%FO%
17:12TOI/GP12:55EVTOI/GP4:16PPTOI/GP0:02PKTOI/GP
× 86
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Kirill Marchenko 🇷🇺
RW/LW · Shoots: R · 6 ft 3 in · 201 lb
Age: 26 · Born 2000-07-21 · Barnaul, RUS
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $3,850,000
Current Linemates ↗: Auston Matthews, Jack Roslovic
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 1G 1A 2PTS -1+/- 3.0SOG/GP
56.9%5v5 CF% 50.0%5v5 GF% 0.67PTS/GP
19:17TOI/GP15:02EVTOI/GP4:15PPTOI/GP0:00PKTOI/GP
× 20
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Nick Paul 🇨🇦
C/LW · Shoots: L · 6 ft 3 in · 225 lb
Age: 31 · Born 1995-03-20 · Mississauga, ON, CAN
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $3,150,000
Current Linemates ↗: Easton Cowan, Colton Sissons
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 0G 1A 1PTS -2+/- 1.0SOG/GP
59.6%5v5 CF% 25.0%5v5 GF% 0.33PTS/GP 44.0%FO%
16:06TOI/GP10:46EVTOI/GP2:25PPTOI/GP2:54PKTOI/GP
× 73
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Teddy Blueger 🇱🇻
C · Shoots: L · 6 ft 0 in · 185 lb
Age: 32 · Born 1994-08-15 · Riga, LVA
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $2,500,000
Current Linemates ↗: Brandon Duhaime, Bo Groulx
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 0G 0A 0PTS 0+/- 0.3SOG/GP
37.8%5v5 CF% N/A5v5 GF% 0.00PTS/GP 36.8%FO%
10:54TOI/GP8:09EVTOI/GP0:00PPTOI/GP2:45PKTOI/GP
× 88
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William Nylander 🇸🇪
RW · Shoots: R · 6 ft 0 in · 200 lb
Age: 30 · Born 1996-05-01 · Calgary, AB, CAN
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $11,500,000
Current Linemates ↗: Gavin McKenna, John Tavares
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 2G 1A 3PTS -2+/- 2.7SOG/GP
42.3%5v5 CF% 42.8%5v5 GF% 1.00PTS/GP 25.0%FO%
19:16TOI/GP14:40EVTOI/GP4:11PPTOI/GP0:25PKTOI/GP
× 19
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Zack MacEwen 🇨🇦
RW · Shoots: R · 6 ft 4 in · 226 lb
Age: 30 · Born 1996-07-08 · Charlottetown, PE, CAN
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $875,000
Current Linemates ↗: N/A
2026–27 NHL regular season
1GP 0G 0A 0PTS 0+/- 0.0SOG/GP
0.0%5v5 CF% N/A5v5 GF% 0.00PTS/GP
5:25TOI/GP5:25EVTOI/GP0:00PPTOI/GP0:00PKTOI/GP
× 8
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Chris Tanev 🇨🇦
D · Shoots: R · 6 ft 3 in · 199 lb
Age: 36 · Born 1989-12-20 · Toronto, ON, CAN
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $4,500,000
Current Partner ↗: Jake McCabe
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 0G 0A 0PTS 0+/- 0.3SOG/GP
40.5%5v5 CF% N/A5v5 GF% 0.00PTS/GP
18:55TOI/GP15:05EVTOI/GP0:04PPTOI/GP3:47PKTOI/GP
× 43
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Darren Raddysh 🇨🇦
D · Shoots: R · 6 ft 1 in · 204 lb
Age: 30 · Born 1996-02-28 · Toronto, ON, CAN
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $8,500,000
Current Partner ↗: Morgan Rielly
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 0G 1A 1PTS -3+/- 3.0SOG/GP
58.5%5v5 CF% 33.3%5v5 GF% 0.33PTS/GP
22:23TOI/GP17:32EVTOI/GP4:45PPTOI/GP0:05PKTOI/GP
× 22
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Jake McCabe 🇺🇸
D · Shoots: L · 6 ft 1 in · 205 lb
Age: 32 · Born 1993-10-12 · Eau Claire, WI, USA
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $4,513,102
Current Partner ↗: Chris Tanev
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 0G 0A 0PTS 0+/- 1.0SOG/GP
46.2%5v5 CF% N/A5v5 GF% 0.00PTS/GP
16:34TOI/GP13:10EVTOI/GP0:10PPTOI/GP3:14PKTOI/GP
× 44
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Morgan Rielly 🇨🇦
D · Shoots: L · 6 ft 1 in · 224 lb
Age: 32 · Born 1994-03-09 · Vancouver, BC, CAN
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $7,500,000
Current Partner ↗: Darren Raddysh
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 0G 3A 3PTS -2+/- 1.0SOG/GP
53.1%5v5 CF% 33.3%5v5 GF% 1.00PTS/GP
19:54TOI/GP17:01EVTOI/GP2:01PPTOI/GP0:52PKTOI/GP
× 3
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Nick Blankenburg 🇺🇸
D · Shoots: R · 5 ft 9 in · 179 lb
Age: 28 · Born 1998-05-12 · Washington, MI, USA
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $1,400,000
Current Partner ↗: N/A
2026–27 NHL regular season
No NHL regular-season stats recorded for 2026–27.
× 95
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Oliver Ekman-Larsson 🇸🇪
D · Shoots: L · 6 ft 2 in · 191 lb
Age: 35 · Born 1991-07-17 · Karlskrona, SWE
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $3,500,000
Current Partner ↗: Troy Stecher
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 0G 0A 0PTS 0+/- 1.0SOG/GP
55.1%5v5 CF% 50.0%5v5 GF% 0.00PTS/GP
16:55TOI/GP14:27EVTOI/GP0:01PPTOI/GP2:27PKTOI/GP
× 28
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Troy Stecher 🇨🇦
D · Shoots: R · 5 ft 11 in · 184 lb
Age: 32 · Born 1994-04-07 · Richmond, BC, CAN
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $1,350,000
Current Partner ↗: Oliver Ekman-Larsson
2026–27 NHL regular season
3GP 0G 0A 0PTS 0+/- 0.7SOG/GP
46.1%5v5 CF% 50.0%5v5 GF% 0.00PTS/GP
17:47TOI/GP14:49EVTOI/GP0:01PPTOI/GP2:56PKTOI/GP
× 41
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Anthony Stolarz 🇺🇸
G · Catches: L · 6 ft 6 in · 248 lb
Age: 32 · Born 1994-01-20 · Edison, NJ, USA
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $3,750,000
2026–27 NHL regular season
1GP 1W 0L 0OT/SOL 1.03GAA .963SV%
× 72
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Sergei Bobrovsky 🇷🇺
G · Catches: L · 6 ft 2 in · 187 lb
Age: 38 · Born 1988-09-20 · Novokuznetsk, RUS
Drafted: Loading…
2026–27 NHL Cap Hit: $7,000,000
2026–27 NHL regular season
2GP 0W 2L 0OT/SOL 3.06GAA .887SV%
Forwards Line Left Wing Centre Right Wing 1 91Steven StamkosStamkos 90Ryan O’ReillyO’Reilly 14Alex KerfootKerfoot 2 9Filip ForsbergForsberg 71Matthew WoodWood 21Nils HöglanderHöglander 3 79Ross ColtonColton 22Mavrik BourqueBourque 81Jonathan MarchessaultMarchessault 4 51Vitali PinchukPinchuk 18Jack DruryDrury 84David EdstromEdstrom Defense Pair Left Defense Right Defense 1 41Nicolas HagueHague 59Roman JosiJosi 2 76Brady SkjeiSkjei 48Nick PerbixPerbix 3 85William TrudeauTrudeau 2Adam WilsbyWilsby Goaltenders 74Juuse SarosSaros Starter 29Justus AnnunenAnnunen Backup