Leafs, NHL Teams Finalize Preseason Lineups

The Toronto Maple Leafs are deploying a lineup resembling their expected opening-night roster against the Detroit Red Wings, with Anthony Stolarz slated to play the full game and Max Domi getting a top-line look with Auston Matthews and Mathew Knies. Rookie Easton Cowan is slotted on the fourth line while Simon Benoit is returning from injury to pair with Oliver Ekman-Larsson as coaches use final preseason games to evaluate roster spots and build chemistry. Elsewhere in the Metropolitan Division, the New Jersey Devils are set to face the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 4 (streamable on fuboTV and DirecTV), with New Jersey buoyed by the return of Jack Hughes to health. The New York Rangers named J.T. Miller captain on Sept. 16, and the Flyers used a 4-3 preseason loss to the Islanders as a near dress rehearsal, with Christian Dvorak emerging as a versatile option and Samuel Ersson starting in goal. Coaches and general managers emphasized that these final exhibition games are being used to fine-tune roles and solidify rosters ahead of the regular season.