Blues vs Maple Leafs projected lineup November 18, 2025: who’s in, who’s out, and who could swing the game

The Scotiabank Arena crowd will be buzzing on Tuesday night when the St. Louis Blues roll into Toronto for the first—and only—regular-season meeting of 2025-26. Both clubs arrive at the quarter-mark of the schedule on 28 points, yet they’ve taken wildly different routes to get there. The Maple Leafs are scoring by committee while waiting for Auston Matthews to rediscover his 60-goal touch; the Blues are winning on the back of Jordan Binnington’s resurgent .922 save percentage and a blue line that finally looks healthy. With Atlantic and Central playoff seeding still a jigsaw puzzle, the Blues vs Maple Leafs projected lineup November 18, 2025 could decide more than just two points.

Below is the most up-to-date intel from morning skates, injury bulletins and coach pressers, complete with line rushes, power-play units and one “wild card” who might sneak into the 20-man roster by puck drop.

Blues vs Maple Leafs projected lineup November 18, 2025: forward combinations and usage

St. Louis forward lines

Coach Jim Montgomery ran the same trios for three straight practices in Montreal and then again at the MasterCard Centre on Monday, signalling he’s found something he likes.

1. Buchnevich – Thomas – Kyrou
   The top unit has produced 5-on-5 goals at a 3.6-per-60 clip since Halloween, best in the NHL over that span. Jordan Kyrou’s willingness to shoot off the rush has opened space for Robert Thomas to post 12 primary assists in his last 10 games.

2. Saad – Schenn – Neighbours
   Jake Neighbours stays on the right wall after clearing concussion protocol last week. His forecheck created the overtime winner in Ottawa Saturday; Brayden Schenn loves having a straight-line winger to complement his cycle game.

3. Kapanen – Hayes – Toropchenko
   A classic “heavy minutes” line that starts 65 % of shifts in the DZ. Kapanen’s sneaky speed gives the Blues a transition threat even when pinned in.

4. Walker – Acciari – Pitlick
   Nathan Walker was recalled Sunday when Oskar Sundqvist’s ankle swelled. The Aussie energy guy kills penalties and can spot on PP2 if Montgomery wants a net-front body.

Power-play units
PP1: Thomas-Buchnevich-Kyrou-Faulk-Parayko (0-3-2 umbrella)
PP2: Schenn-Saad-Neighbours-Krug-Kapanen

Toronto forward lines

Sheldon Keefe hinted he’ll keep the “grind five” intact even with Calle Järnkrok ready to return. The sticking point is whether rookie Easton Cowan stays in after back-to-back assists on the road trip.

1. Domi – Matthews – Marner
   Matthews has four goals in 18 games, but the shot volume (4.7 per) is creeping back toward his career norm. Max Domi’s 51 % face-off rate gives the line possession stability.

2. Cowan – Tavares – Nylander
   Cowan’s entry speed has allowed William Nylander to play give-and-go rather than solo carry-ins. The trio owns a 56 % expected-goals share through 120 minutes.

3. Knies – Holmberg – Robertson
   Nick Robertson was a healthy scratch in Buffalo; Keefe wants his shot back against a heavier St. Louis back end.

4. Reaves – Kampf – Gregor
   Ryan Reaves requested the matchup with former teammate Schenn, telling reporters “I still owe him one from the ’19 finals.”

Power-play units
PP1: Marner-Matthews-Nylander-Tavares-Rielly
PP2: Domi-Knies-Robertson-Brodie-McCabe

Blues vs Maple Leafs projected lineup November 18, 2025: defensive pairs and goaltending

St. Louis blue line

The big story is the return of Scott Perunovich, who missed 11 games with a shoulder stinger. Montgomery will shelter him on the third pair alongside Colton Parayko, allowing the 6’6” giant to focus on boxing out John Tavares in front.

1. Nick Leddy – Justin Faulk
   Leads the league in 5-on-5 shot attempts from the point (38.2/60). Faulk’s one-timer is the trigger for the top power play.

2. Torey Krug – Tyler Tucker
   Tucker’s physicality (37 hits in 15 games) lets Krug roam for stretch passes; together they’ve allowed only one high-danger goal at even strength.

3. Scott Perunovich – Colton Parayko
   Perunovich’s edgework is vital against Toronto’s cycle; Parayko’s reach cleans up any leaks.

Goaltending
Jordan Binnington gets the start after a 28-save shutout in Ottawa. His .935 save percentage in back-to-backs since 2023 is the best among goalies with 10 such appearances, so fatigue isn’t expected to be an issue.

Toronto blue line

Morgan Rielly (upper body) took the morning skate in a red, no-contact jersey, so Conor Timmins will draw in for a third straight game.

1. Timmins – McCabe
   Timmins’ 54 % controlled exit rate is second on the club behind Rielly; McCabe provides the snarl against Kyrou’s east-west cuts.

2. Brodie – Liljegren
   Trusted with the “shutdown” assignment versus Thomas’ line; Liljegren’s stick-on-puck metrics rank in the 91st percentile league-wide.

3. Benoit – Klingberg
   Erik Klingberg has points in four of his last five, but St. Louis will test him below the goal line with Neighbours’ cycle.

Goaltending
Joseph Woll was first off, indicating he’ll oppose Binnington in a battle of 2016 third-rounders. Woll’s .913 save percentage at 5-on-5 masks a shaky penalty-kill record (.849); the Blues’ 24 % PP conversion on the road could be the edge St. Louis needs.

Key matchups and tactical nuggets for Blues vs Maple Leafs projected lineup November 18, 2025

• Thomas vs Tavares at the dots – Two of the league’s hottest pass-first centres; whoever wins 55 % of draws will dictate possession.

• Kyrou’s stretch zone entries – Toronto’s neutral-zone trap has been leaky without Rielly’s outlet passing. If Kyrou hits the red line with speed, look for Buchnevich to drag McCabe wide and create a 2-on-1.

• Binnington’s glove side – All four of Matthews’ 2025 goals have come blocker-side; Binnington has tweaked his glove positioning since last season, so the first-period chess match will be fascinating.

• Special-teams swing – St. Louis owns the NHL’s 3rd-ranked road PP; Toronto’s home PK sits 19th. One goal here could decide a game the oddsmakers have as a pick’em.

Injury report and last-minute lineup notes

• St. Louis: Oskar Sundqvist (ankle) is day-to-day; if he dresses, Acciari comes out and Walker drops to 13th forward.
• Toronto: Calle Järnkrok (finger) will be a game-time decision; the team may go 11-7 if he’s in, pulling Robertson.
• Morgan Rielly could emergency-insert if he passes concussion protocol Tuesday afternoon, bumping Timmins to the press box.

Fantasy and betting quick hits

DraftKings value pick: Jordan Kyrou (RW) – $6,200 salary, averages 3.4 shots and 1.6 points over his last eight.
Prop to watch: Binnington over 28.5 saves (-115) – Toronto generates 33.2 shots per home game, and the Blues allow the 8th-most.
Long-shot parlay: Thomas assist + Marner point + game to OT (+2200) has cashed in two of the last three Leafs-Blues meetings that went past regulation.

What the coaches said

> “We’re not hiding from the fact Matthews is due. Our gap control has to be above the tops of the circles; if we let him walk in, Woll’s seeing 40 shots.” — Jim Montgomery, Blues head coach

> “Binnington’s playing like it’s 2019 again. For us it’s about traffic: get Saad’s stick tied up and let Kampf’s line create second chances.” — Sheldon Keefe, Maple Leafs head coach

Final thoughts on Blues vs Maple Leafs projected lineup November 18, 2025

The chess board is set for a coin-flip affair. St. Louis brings the hotter goalie and a power play that has feasted on East-coast penalty kills, while Toronto counters with superior forward depth and the emotional lift of a potential Rielly return. If the game stays at 5-on-5, the Leafs’ third line should tilt the ice; if special teams dominate, the Blues’ red-hot PP gives them the edge. Either way, expect a one-goal night that leaves the winner inside the playoff bar and the loser searching for answers before U.S. Thanksgiving.

For more Atlantic division insights, check out our breakdown of the Maple Leafs’ evolving forward usage under Keefe and the Blues’ resurgent special teams that have carried them back into the Central race. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN4 and Bally Sports Midwest.