> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Preview: Maple Leafs go on the road to face the Canadiens - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/preview-maple-leafs-go-on-the-road-to-face-the-canadiens/ - Published: 2025-11-22T17:42:00.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-22T17:42:00.000Z - Description: It's like they're starting the season over again. - Author: Cathy Squires - Tags: Game Coverage ### Toronto Maple Leafs @ Montréal Canadiens 07:00 PM at Centre Bell Watch on: SN, CBC, TVAS ### The Leafs last game was at home on November 20 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, which Toronto lost by a score of 3-2 in overtime. The Leafs have a record of 9-9-3 for a 0.500 Points %. The Montréal Canadiens last played at home on November 20 against the Washington Capitals. The Canadiens lost by a score of 8-4 in regulation, and their current league record is 10-7-3 for a 0.575 Points %. ### Them The Leafs saw the Canadiens on opening night of the season, beat them at least in part because Sam Montembeault let in three goals on two expected, and looked pretty on the ball doing it. And then what happened? Well, Montembeault continued to struggle. He's now allowed 40 goals on 33 expected per Moneypuck, and is a little worse overall than Anthony Stolarz was before he became injured. In the interim, the Canadiens have been getting slightly above average goaltending from Jakub Dobes, although the gloss has started to wear off his game as well. Both goalies were tuned up for a lot of goals in that debacle against Washington two days ago. Aside from the goalies, what's up with Montréal? It has to be several things since the gushing about this team has cooled down, and they're on the list with the Oilers and the Leafs as the problem teams in Canada. They are 20th in Corsi at five-on-five and right on 50% in Expected Goals (per Evolving Hockey) which is where the Leafs spent most of last year before they struggled at the end of the season. Their power play has a below average Expected Goals rate, which they underscore on. Their PK is on the bad side of mediocre for the shots they allow, but they actually aren't getting burned there too much. They are a very middle of the road team and are average or nearly so in all areas. If they had better goaltending they'd win more because you can win by just not being bad at anything, but they lack any sort of game breaking skill beyond rookie Ivan Demidov. Injuries are hurting them, but they aren't, yet, a very good team. #### Lines Last Game (2025-11-20) via [Daily Faceoff](https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/montreal-canadiens/line-combinations/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Cole Caufield - Nick Suzuki - Zack Bolduc Juraj Slafkovský - Oliver Kapanen - Ivan Demidov Joshua Roy - Jake Evans - Josh Anderson Jared Davidson - Joe Veleno - Brendan Gallagher Mike Matheson - Noah Dobson Jayden Struble - Lane Hutson Arber Xhekaj - Alexandre Carrier Sam Montembeault Jakub Dobes - confirmed starter ### Us Here's a delightful thing we don't talk about much in the face of the more obvious defensive zone problems. The Maple Leafs lead the NHL in Expected Goals Against while shorthanded. As in they're worst at it. A lot of the man games lost have been to forwards who PK, so that's at least somewhat understandable. And speaking of man games lost, no returning injured players tonight, so the lineup from yesterday's practice below is close to what we'll see. > One lineup change for Leafs tonight in Montreal with Sammy Blais drawing back in, per coach Craig Berube > > Jacob Quillan is out > > [@TSN\_Sports](https://twitter.com/TSN%5FSports?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Mark Masters (@markhmasters) [November 22, 2025](https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1992266621013119105?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Sammy Blais on facing Canadiens, who put him on waivers in October: "I'm really motivated. Kind of a little more of a chip on my shoulder tonight for sure" > > Quebec native is expecting 10-15 family members in attendance at Bell Centre[@TSN\_Sports](https://twitter.com/TSN%5FSports?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Mark Masters (@markhmasters) [November 22, 2025](https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1992283355145208070?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) #### Lines Mark Masters via [Daily Faceoff](https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/toronto-maple-leafs/line-combinations/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) with Blais in for Quillan William Nylander - John Tavares - Calle Järnkrok Bobby McMann - Max Domi - Nicholas Robertson Steven Lorentz - Scott Laughton - Easton Cowan Sammy Blais - Dakota Joshua - Matias Maccelli Morgan Rielly - Oliver Ekman-Larsson Simon Benoit - Jake McCabe Dakota Mermis - Troy Stecher Dennis Hildeby Joe Woll confirmed starter ### The Game This game is technically the start of a long road trip, but the next game is Wednesday in Columbus so it's really just a one-off trip to Montréal. By the time that Columbus game comes, some roster decisions might have to be made as some players get healthy. The rest of the IR squad will gradually come back to playing – with the exception of Chris Tanev, perhaps – over the course of the trip. Tonight is part of the in-between time. A game against a struggling team that got trounced last time, and then several days off at home. This game has to be the season starting over. The gradual improvement in many areas of the last three games has been good, but the pace has to come up, the commitment to what is working has to be all game long. The easy part of the season has been pissed away. Forget that and move on.