What Happened
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller told reporters Thursday that Easton Cowan is moving up to the second line and rookie Gavin McKenna is dropping to the third ahead of the team's game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Hiller said the change was driven by how Toronto finished its come-from-behind overtime win over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, when the two wingers' lines were flipped. The new second line is expected to be Cowan with John Tavares and William Nylander.
Key Details
- Cowan takes the second-line spot alongside John Tavares and William Nylander.
- McKenna moves down to the third line for Thursday's game against Vegas.
- Hiller cited how the lines finished Tuesday's overtime win in Nashville as the reason.
- McKenna scored his first NHL goal and recorded his first NHL point Tuesday.
- Cowan has one goal and three points to open the season.
What It Means
Hiller is rewarding the combination that closed out Tuesday's overtime win in Nashville, giving Cowan a look with Tavares and Nylander while McKenna shifts to the third line. The swap keeps both wingers in the middle six and reflects how Toronto wants to deploy its lines after a comeback result.
What's Next
The new lines will be tested Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, giving Toronto an immediate look at whether the Cowan-Tavares-Nylander combination carries over from Tuesday's finish.