Paul underwent surgery in mid-September to address an upper-body injury and appears as though he could make his season debut on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 30-year-old Paul had 22 goals, 41 points, and 141 SOG in 76 games played last season.
The Panthers are a solid 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, but find themselves near the bottom of an extremely tight Eastern Conference. Bobrovsky returns to the crease on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils after salvaging an 8-5 win over the Vancouver Canucks in his most recent outing despite allowing five goals on 15 shots (.667 SV%). The 37-year-old Bobrovsky has a 2.80 GAA and .883 SV% in 14 games this season (9-5-0). The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as -139 home favorites against a New Jersey Devils team that has scored only three goals in two games (1-1-0) since learning they will be without Jack Hughes (finger) for several weeks.
Matthews has not played since suffering a lower-body injury from a Nikita Zadorov hit one week ago, but returned to practice on Tuesday, suggesting he is inching closer to a return. That said, Head Coach Craig Berube stated that he "obviously" would not be ready for Thursday's game against Columbus. The 28-year-old Matthews has not been as dynamic as in previous seasons early in 2025-26, scoring 14 points (9G / 5A) through 17 games, but the Leafs have lost five of six and will be eager for their captain to return to the lineup.
Knies was a surprise scratch on Tuesday, with the Leafs only announcing his absence about an hour before puck drop. He joins a crowded injury list in Toronto that already contains the likes of Auston Matthews, Anthony Stolarz, Chris Tanev, and Brandon Carlo. Knies is considered day-to-day with the injury.
Matthews has not played since suffering a lower-body injury from a Nikita Zadorov hit one week ago, but returned to practice on Tuesday, suggesting he is inching closer to a return. The 28-year-old Matthews has not been as dynamic as in previous seasons early in 2025-26, scoring 14 points (9G / 5A) through 17 games, but the Leafs have lost five straight and will be eager for their captain to return to the lineup.
Quillan made his NHL debut last season, playing one game with the Maple Leafs, but has predominantly played at the AHL level. The undrafted 23-year-old forward has impressed with the Marlies (AHL) this season, scoring 14 points (2G / 12A) in 14 games.
Stecher was claimed off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers over the weekend, and he will draw into the lineup for his Maple Leafs' debut on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. Primarily a third-pairing defenseman with the Oilers, the 31-year-old Stecher averaged 13:37 time-on-ice through six games this season.
The 9-8-1 Panthers will turn to Bobrovsky on Monday against the 9-9-2 Vancouver Canucks. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky was serviceable in his most recent outing, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%), but did not receive ample goal support, losing 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bobrovsky has a 2.63 GAA and .893 SV% in 13 games this season (8-5-0). The Panthers enter Monday's contest as significant -282 home favorites against a Canucks team that erupted for five goals in the third period of their 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last night.
The 9-8-1 Panthers will likely turn to Bobrovsky on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky was serviceable in his most recent outing, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%), but did not receive ample goal support, losing 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bobrovsky has a 2.63 GAA and .893 SV% in 13 games this season (8-5-0). The Panthers enter Monday's contest as significant -282 home favorites against a Canucks team that erupted for five goals in the third period of their 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last night.
Akhtyamov was drafted in the fourth-round, 106th overall, by the Maple Leafs in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old goalie has yet to play an NHL game. He has a 2.82 GAA and .894 SV% in six games (4-2-0) with the Marlies (AHL) this season.
After a week in the AHL with the Marlies, Cowan has been recalled by the Toronto Maple Leafs in response to Auston Matthews (lower body) being placed on Injured Reserve. The 20-year-old Cowan started the season with the Maple Leafs and scored four points (1G / 3A) in 10 games.
Matthews suffered a lower-body injury after being hit by Nikita Zadorov halfway through the second period of Tuesday's game and was unable to return. He was placed on Injured Reserve and will not be eligible to return until, at earliest, November 18th. The 28-year-old Matthew has 14 points (9G / 5A) in 17 games this season and is expected to be sidelined for at least one week. Max Domi has been elevated to Toronto's top powerplay unit to replace the injured Matthews.
MacEwen has played minimally this season, appearing in only three games, and could be sidelined for at least a week after exiting Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks with an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old forward has six hits and zero points this season.
Stolarz's absence to start the second period of Tuesday's was originally thought to be performance related after he gave up three goals in the first, but following the game, it was made clear that it was due to an upper-body injury. The Maple Leafs have recalled Artur Akhtyamov from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) to serve as the backup to Dennis Hildeby on Thursday.
