Maple Leafs announce latest lineup switch

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced earlier today that they're going to be without the services of superstar forward Auston Matthews for at least the next three weeks thanks to a lingering knee injury that has been nagging at him. 

And ahead of their Atlantic Division rivalry matchup with the Ottawa Senators tonight at Scotiabank Arena, they've announced a key lineup change. It will be rookie Pontus Holmberg playing in the top-6 tonight, and will be skating alongside Calle Jarnkrok and William Nylander. 

"He is a guy that has shown well since he has been here with us both offensively and defensively," head coach Sheldon Keefe explained. "He is a guy that has how he can play in the league and help us. There is an opportunity there now."

"We do have some other options that we have used in the past, but this is one we haven’t necessarily save for shifts here or there. I think it is a good opportunity for him to jump into that and see what he can do. We will monitor it."

Holmberg's teammates also were full of praise. Said Mitch Marner: 

"Bergy will do a great job. A player that I think has really grown and become a stud for us." 

John Tavares: "A really smart hockey player," he said of Holmberg. "He's sneaky strong on his skates." 

Tonight's full expected lineup combinations: 

Forwards
#58 Michael Bunting – #91 John Tavares – #16 Mitch Marner
#19 Calle Järnkrok – #29 Pontus Holmberg – #88 William Nylander
#74 Bobby McMann – #64 David Kämpf – #47 Pierre Engvall
#12 Zach Aston-Reese – #15 Alex Kerfoot – #28 Joey Anderson

Defensemen
#44 Morgan Rielly – #3 Justin Holl
#55 Mark Giordano – #37 Timothy Liljegren
#38 Rasmus Sandin – #25 Conor Timmins

Goaltenders
Starter: #30 Matt Murray
#35 Ilya Samsonov