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William Nylander will be a game-time decision for the Maple Leafs on Saturday at Scotiabank Arena.
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The status of defenceman Morgan Rielly also won’t be known until after the pre-game warmup as the Leafs play host to the Buffalo Sabres to complete a back-to-back, home-and-home set between the clubs.
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That was what Leafs coach Craig Berube offered about Nylander and Rielly a couple of hours prior to the 5 p.m. start.
Nylander, second in National Hockey League scoring with 14 points in eight games, was hurt during the Leafs’ 5-3 loss in Buffalo on Friday night.
Nylander has not missed a game since 2021-22, playing in every game in each of the past three seasons.
“He’s like any other guy,” Berube said. “If he’s able to go, then he’ll play. I think (Rielly) will be good to go, but we’ll see.”
Regardless of whether Nylander is in the lineup, Berube said forward Nick Robertson will be back in uniform after he was scratched in Buffalo. Berube did not indicate which forward would come out of the lineup.
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Rielly (undisclosed) didn’t play in Buffalo. Like Nylander, he played in all 82 games in 2024-25.
Goalie Cayden Primeau is expected to make his second start in the Leafs net.
More from Maccelli
Berube reiterated what the Leafs have to do to get out of their funk, as the team has lost its past three games and is 3-4-1 in its first eight.
Playing with more responsibility and greater care for the puck are obvious.
As for individuals, Berube spoke of newcomer Matias Maccelli, who has just one goal and one assist in eight games.
One of the Leafs’ new lines on Friday was John Tavares between Matthew Knies and Maccelli.
“They did some good things,” Berube said. “I think there’s still room for improvement. I saw more of the better Knies that I saw last year.
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“There’s more from Maccelli (that is required). He made some plays, but I think he’s still looking off the first play that could be made and trying to make a better play.
“That’s just a confidence thing with him. But I was encouraged by some of the things that I saw with that line.”
Woll on ice
A day after the Leafs announced that goalie Joseph Woll would be re-joining the team after taking a leave of absence for personal reasons, the 27-year-old was back on the ice on Saturday.
Berube wouldn’t say what the club’s plan is for Woll in the coming days, deferring to general manager Brad Treliving.
“It’s great to have (Woll) back,” Berube said. “He’s excited to be back. We’re excited too. It was great to see him on the ice today.”
Woll had been away from the Leafs since Sept. 23.
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