BUFFALO — The Toronto Maple Leafs will reward Max Domi with a second look alongside John Tavares and William Nylander as the club visits the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on Tuesday.
Domi picked up a pair of assists in the third period while skating on Toronto's second line in the Maple Leafs' 4-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday and head coach Craig Berube hopes the forward's spring brings the right dynamic as they look to solidify their playoff roster.
45 for Will Ny The Scoring Guy 😎 pic.twitter.com/kgnHplhg6k
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 13, 2025
"I wanted a little more speed in that line. They ended up getting a couple goals that line for us, but just the speed and his playmaking ability," Berube said of the change. (He) made some nice plays. Made two good plays. We scored two goals off it. I thought he did a good job.
"He's obviously a versatile player for us. (He) plays center, plays wing. He provides speed and ability to make plays."
The Maple Leafs need one point in their next two games to clinch first place in the Atlantic Division. With home-ice advantage for Round 1 of the post-season now secure, the Leafs are still looking for optimal lines through lines 2-4.
In his first season with the Leafs, Domi primarily played center, but moved over to the wing regularly after an injury to Mitch Marner. Once Marner returned, Domi stayed on the wing alongside Auston Matthews and Tyler Bertuzzi for their 2024 first-round series against the Boston Bruins.
Maple Leafs Reveal Lower-Body Injury For Mitch Marner, Star Misses First Game Of 2024-25 NHL SeasonMarner hasn't been on the ice since scoring the game-winning goal in Toronto's previous game.
With players like Max Pacioretty possibly set to come be activated from long-term injured reserve, the next two games gives Berube a chance to see where things shake out.
Pontus Holmberg moved from wing to center to the third line with Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson.
Toronto Maple Leafs Finally Find Their Upgrade On Max Domi With Scott LaughtonAs the market for centers slowly diminished throughout the week, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving finally found their middle-six center in Scott Laughton.
If the Leafs get a point tonight, they will have won a division in a full 82-game season for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. They'll also secure a date with the Ottawa Senators in the opening round.
"I understand it's been a while, we're looking forwardto the playoff push," Maple Leafs forward Steven Lorentz said. "We don't care who we see, we're just excited to get that going."
The Leafs wrap up their regular season at home against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.