Calgary Flames vs Toronto Maple Leafs projected lineup for October 28, 2025

The Calgary Flames head into Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday evening looking to build on their first victory in nine games, while the Toronto Maple Leafs aim to ride the momentum of their overtime triumph against Buffalo. Both teams have struggled to find consistency early in the 2025-26 season, making this Atlantic Division matchup a crucial opportunity to gain traction. With key lineup decisions on both benches and injury concerns affecting both rosters, the projected lineups for the Calgary Flames vs Toronto Maple Leafs on October 28, 2025, reveal significant changes that could shape the outcome of this encounter.

The 6:00 p.m. ET puck drop at Scotiabank Arena brings together two teams with contrasting records but similar defensive vulnerabilities. Calgary sits at 2-7-1 with just five points, while Toronto holds a 4-4-1 record with nine points. Both clubs have allowed more than three goals per game over their last five outings, suggesting this could develop into a higher-scoring affair despite each team’s recent offensive struggles. The Flames are averaging just 2.1 goals per game this season, while the Maple Leafs have managed 2.8 goals per contest.

Calgary Flames vs Toronto Maple Leafs projected forward lines for October 28, 2025

The Flames’ forward group for this matchup features several notable adjustments following their confidence-boosting 5-1 victory over the New York Rangers. Matt Coronato returns to the lineup after serving as a healthy scratch in Sunday’s game, slotting into the fourth line alongside Ryan Lomberg and Justin Kirkland. This decision signals head coach Ryan Huska’s desire to add energy and scoring potential to the bottom six while rewarding Coronato with another opportunity to contribute.

The top line remains intact with Jonathan Huberdeau centering Nazem Kadri and Morgan Frost, a combination that has shown chemistry despite the team’s early struggles. Huberdeau, who has registered just one goal and one assist this season, faces a Maple Leafs team he’s historically performed well against, collecting 35 points in 36 career meetings. His ability to create offense against Toronto could prove crucial for a Flames team desperately seeking offensive consistency.

Calgary’s second line features Joel Farabee alongside Connor Zary and Yegor Sharangovich, providing a blend of skill and two-way responsibility. The third line showcases one of the team’s most promising prospects, Samuel Honzek, playing between veterans Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman. This line has provided stability and defensive reliability throughout the early season, even as the team has struggled to generate consistent offense.

For the Maple Leafs, the forward configuration hinges on the status of William Nylander, who remains a game-time decision with a lower-body injury. If Nylander is cleared to play, he’ll join Auston Matthews and Bobby McMann on the top line, maintaining Toronto’s most potent offensive threat. However, according to the official NHL injury report, if Nylander cannot go, Sammy Blais is expected to make his Maple Leafs debut after being claimed off waivers from Montreal on October 6.

The second line features John Tavares between Matthew Knies and Matias Maccelli, with the latter having recorded three points in nine games this season. Dakota Joshua, Nicolas Roy, and rookie Easton Cowan comprise the third line, offering a combination of physicality and skill that has been effective in limited ice time together. The fourth line of Steven Lorentz, Max Domi, and Nicholas Robertson provides versatility and depth scoring capability.

Toronto’s forward depth has been tested by injuries to Scott Laughton and Calle Jarnkrok, with the latter listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. These absences have forced head coach Sheldon Keefe to shuffle his lines more frequently than desired, though the Maple Leafs showed resilience in their comeback overtime victory against Buffalo on Saturday.

Defensive pairings and blue line changes for Calgary Flames vs Toronto Maple Leafs on October 28, 2025

Calgary’s defensive corps features some familiar pairings with veteran leadership anchoring each unit. Kevin Bahl joins Rasmus Andersson on the top pairing, combining Bahl’s physical presence with Andersson’s offensive instincts and mobility. This partnership has been tasked with handling opponents’ top lines and contributing to the transition game, though the Flames’ 3.5 goals-against average suggests room for improvement.

The second pairing of Jake Bean and MacKenzie Weegar provides offensive upside from the back end. Weegar, in particular, has been one of Calgary’s most consistent performers despite the team’s poor record, contributing both defensively and on special teams. Bean’s mobility and puck-moving ability complement Weegar’s all-around game, making this pairing crucial to Calgary’s zone exits and rush opportunities.

Joel Hanley and highly-touted prospect Zayne Parekh round out the Flames’ defensive alignment on the third pairing. Parekh, one of the organization’s most exciting young defensemen, continues to gain valuable NHL experience despite the team’s struggles. Brayden Pachal will be scratched for this contest, with the coaching staff opting for the current six-man rotation.

Toronto’s blue line has been significantly impacted by the absence of Chris Tanev, who remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury. The Maple Leafs’ top pairing features Simon Benoit alongside Jake McCabe, a duo that provides defensive solidity and physical presence. McCabe’s shutdown abilities and leadership have been crucial during Tanev’s absence, though the team’s 3.6 goals-against average over the last five games indicates continued defensive challenges.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Brandon Carlo form the second pairing, offering a combination of experience and two-way capability. Ekman-Larsson’s offensive instincts from the point have been valuable on Toronto’s power play, while Carlo brings defensive reliability and penalty-killing expertise. The third pairing of Morgan Rielly and Philippe Myers provides offensive creativity, with Rielly serving as one of Toronto’s primary power-play quarterbacks.

Dakota Mermis will be scratched for this game, with Toronto preferring the current defensive alignment. The potential return of Tanev looms large for future games, but for now, the Maple Leafs will proceed with their current six-man rotation.

Goaltending matchup and between-the-pipes projections for October 28, 2025

Dustin Wolf is expected to start in goal for Calgary, backed up by Devin Cooley. Wolf has faced a challenging start to his season behind a struggling Flames team, but he showed glimpses of his potential in the victory over New York. The 24-year-old netminder will need to be sharp against a Toronto offense led by Matthews, who remains one of the league’s most dangerous goal scorers.

Wolf’s ability to make timely saves and control rebounds will be critical against a Maple Leafs team that excels at generating second-chance opportunities. His positioning and calm demeanor have been positive attributes even during Calgary’s difficult stretch, and building on Sunday’s performance could provide the foundation for improved team confidence.

Anthony Stolarz gets the nod for Toronto, with Cayden Primeau serving as backup. Joseph Woll remains out of the lineup, continuing his recovery from injury. Stolarz has shown flashes of strong play this season but has also experienced inconsistency, reflected in Toronto’s up-and-down results. His ability to make key saves at critical moments will be tested against a Flames team desperate to prove their victory over the Rangers wasn’t a fluke.

The goaltending matchup features two netminders seeking to establish consistency and help their teams find defensive stability. Both Wolf and Stolarz have the capability to steal games when at their best, but both have also struggled behind porous defensive play at times this season.

Key storylines and game-time decisions affecting the Calgary Flames vs Toronto Maple Leafs projected lineup October 28, 2025

The Nylander situation dominates the pre-game narrative from Toronto’s perspective. His absence would significantly impact the Maple Leafs’ offensive capabilities, as he’s been one of their most consistent producers when healthy. The potential debut of Sammy Blais adds an intriguing subplot, as the physical forward could bring a different dimension to Toronto’s lineup if pressed into action.

Coronato’s return to Calgary’s lineup represents an opportunity for the young forward to make an impact after watching from the press box. His speed and offensive instincts could be exactly what the Flames need to generate more consistent scoring chances, particularly if he can develop chemistry with his linemates quickly.

Martin Pospisil remains on injured reserve for Calgary with an undisclosed injury, removing another depth option from the Flames’ forward group. His absence has forced the coaching staff to rely more heavily on younger players and recent acquisitions, contributing to lineup instability during the team’s rough start.

For Toronto, the day-to-day status of both Tanev and Jarnkrok creates uncertainty around the team’s full strength availability moving forward. While neither is expected to play Tuesday, their potential returns would provide significant boosts to Toronto’s defensive depth and forward versatility respectively. The Maple Leafs have managed to tread water during these injury absences, but getting healthy bodies back would certainly help their consistency.

Both teams enter this matchup desperate for positive results after turbulent stretches. Calgary’s eight-game losing streak finally ended Sunday, but one victory doesn’t erase the significant concerns about their offensive production and defensive structure. Toronto snapped a three-game losing streak with their overtime win against Buffalo, yet their defensive lapses and inconsistent goaltending remain worrisome.

The historical context between these franchises adds another layer to this encounter. While not traditional rivals, both teams have playoff aspirations and understand that division points carry extra weight in the standings. The Flames need to prove their Rangers victory wasn’t an aberration, while the Maple Leafs seek to build momentum at home before heading on the road.

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This Eastern Conference clash represents more than just two points in the standings for both clubs. Calgary desperately needs to string together consecutive victories to climb out of the Atlantic Division basement and restore belief in the locker room. Their 2-7-1 start has put pressure on management and coaching staff alike, making every game increasingly important as the season progresses.

Toronto, meanwhile, cannot afford to take Calgary lightly despite their superior record. The Maple Leafs have shown vulnerability at home this season, and their defensive issues continue to plague them regardless of opponent. Building consistency before their road trip to Columbus becomes imperative if they hope to maintain their position in the playoff race during this competitive early-season stretch.

The projected lineups for the Calgary Flames vs Toronto Maple Leafs on October 28, 2025, suggest an intriguing tactical battle between two teams at different stages of crisis management. Calgary seeks to prove their offensive potential can match their talent level, while Toronto aims to tighten defensively without sacrificing the offensive production that makes them dangerous. With key players returning, game-time decisions pending, and both teams hungry for points, this Tuesday night matchup at Scotiabank Arena promises compelling hockey with significant implications for both clubs’ seasons.