Maple Leafs Make Lineup Changes Ahead of Avalanche Game

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without forwards Mitch Marner and Pierre Engvall on Saturday night and have made some adjustments to their lineup as they prepare for a highly anticipated matchup with the Colorado Avalanche.

With Marner off the top line, Alexander Kerfoot moves up for a rare chance to play with Auston Matthews. They will be accompanied by Michael Bunting on the team's top line. From there, recent sniper Ilya Mikheyev gets promoted to the second line as he's scored three goals in three games since making his return. 

Nick Ritchie draws back into the lineup after being put on waivers this week. With a $2.5 million price tag, one year left on his deal and with only eight points in 30 games it was going to be a stretch to see anyone claim the rugged winger. He'll hope to find the front of the net on Saturday night as when you play with Jason Spezza you just look to go to the net. 

The last time these two teams met was on Dec. 9 in what was a route by the Maple Leafs, winning 8-3. Darcy Kuemper didn't play and tonight is likely to be a whole new story.  

The Maple Leafs have won four in a row meanwhile the Avs have won three in a row of their own. A 12-2-1 home record against 8-4-1 on the road. A Stanley Cup Final preview? Who knows, but should be a doozie in Denver on Saturday night.

Photo credit:  Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports