Maple Leafs announce permanent lineup switch

The Toronto Maple Leafs are back in action tonight, looking to get back on track following their embarrassing loss against the lowly and tanking Chicago Blackhawks at home on Saturday night. And ahead of the game, fans may notice a new position for captain John Tavares, who is moving to the wing after the acquisition of center Ryan O'Reilly from the St. Louis Blues in last week's blockbuster trade. 

And according to head coach Sheldon Keefe, it's not a temporary move. 

"It's different, obviously it's a different position," Tavares explained. "When you're playing center, you're in the middle of the ice a lot. Whether it's defensively or offensively, I'm getting the puck a lot, and without it, it's positioning where you're at. Just making that adjustment, obviously at times throughout my career professional I've played the wing. Continuing to make that adjustment, but obviously playing with some pretty good players." 

Just want to continue and get better, and it's an opportunity to thrive in this position." 

With the acquisition of O'Reilly, the Leafs now have tremendous depth at the center position, which benefits the team as a whole.

"Obviously I have to continue doing a good job to adapting to a lot of wall play, both offensively and defensively," Tavares continued. "But I think with O'Reilly's poise that he plays with and ability to get the puck to his wingers and creating time and space because of his awareness in the game can lead to really good looks in puck possession, time and space." 

The Leafs and Sabres will get underway tonight from KeyBank Center in downtown Buffalo starting at 7:00 PM EST.