Maple Leafs vs Canadiens projected lineup November 22, 2025: a complete preview for Hockey Night in Canada

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens renew their historic rivalry on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Bell Centre in a game that carries significant weight for both Atlantic Division combatants. As the Leafs embark on a crucial six-game road trip, they’ll face a Canadiens squad desperate to snap a five-game losing streak that has seen them surrender 15 goals in their last two contests alone. With both teams navigating significant injury challenges, the projected lineups reveal fascinating storylines—from a brotherly NHL debut to veteran players being leaned on heavily in the absence of star power.

This Original Six showdown arrives at a pivotal moment in the 2025-26 season. Toronto enters with a 9-9-3 record and 21 points, looking to find consistency after dropping six of their last seven games. Montreal, despite their recent skid, holds a 10-7-3 record and 23 points, demonstrating that their hot start wasn’t merely a mirage. The Bell Centre crowd will be electric for Hockey Night in Canada, particularly given the compelling narratives surrounding both rosters.

Projected lineups for Maple Leafs vs Canadiens November 22, 2025

Toronto Maple Leafs forward combinations

The Maple Leafs will ice a top-heavy lineup missing their captain Auston Matthews, who remains sidelined with a lower-body injury. John Tavares anchors the first line between William Nylander and Calle Järnkrok, a trio that has produced consistent offense despite the team’s struggles. Tavares leads the team with 12 goals and 27 points through 21 games, demonstrating why his team-friendly contract extension looks like a bargain.

The second line features Max Domi centring Bobby McMann and Nicholas Robertson, a combination that brings speed and creativity. The third line showcases the emerging talent of Easton Cowan alongside Dakota Joshua and Scott Laughton, while the fourth line consists of Sammy Blais, Steven Lorentz, and Matias Maccelli. Blais draws back into the lineup after being scratched in two of the past three games, bringing physicality to a Leafs team that needs to establish a stronger forecheck.

Notably absent from the forward group are Matthews, Matthew Knies (lower body), and Nicolas Roy (upper body). Both Matthews and Knies participated in the optional morning skate, suggesting their returns are imminent, but neither will dress for this critical divisional matchup. The absence of these key contributors puts additional pressure on Toronto’s secondary scoring to deliver against a Montreal team that has shown defensive vulnerabilities during its losing streak.

Toronto Maple Leafs defensive pairings and goaltending

Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson form the top defensive pairing, with Rielly’s 16 points in 21 games leading all Leafs blueliners. The second pair features Simon Benoit alongside Jake McCabe, while Dakota Mermis and Troy Stecher round out the bottom pairing. Chris Tanev (upper body) and Brandon Carlo (lower body) remain significant absences on the back end, testing Toronto’s depth.

In goal, Joseph Woll gets his fourth consecutive start as Anthony Stolarz continues to recover from an upper-body injury. Woll has shown flashes of brilliance but will need to be at his best against a Montreal team desperate for offensive breakthroughs. Dennis Hildeby serves as the backup, ready if called upon during this demanding road stretch.

Montreal Canadiens forward combinations and special debut

The Canadiens’ lineup features one of the night’s most compelling storylines: Florian Xhekaj’s NHL debut alongside his brother Arber. The younger Xhekaj, recalled from Laval of the AHL on Friday, will skate on the third line with Jake Evans and Josh Anderson, replacing Joshua Roy as a healthy scratch. Florian’s journey from Costco employee to NHL player mirrors his brother’s inspirational path, and making his debut against the Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada represents a dream scenario.

“Pretty cool moment,” Florian said about receiving the call from his coach while trying to sleep before Friday’s AHL game. He immediately notified his parents, who flew to Montreal Saturday morning to witness the historic occasion. Arber texted his brother simply: “let’s go!” The six-foot-four, 204-pound forward adds grit and has posted two goals, two assists, and 44 penalty minutes in 16 AHL games this season.

The top line features the dangerous duo of Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki flanking Zach Bolduc, while Juraj Slafkovsky, Oliver Kapanen, and Ivan Demidov form a skilled second unit. The fourth line consists of Jared Davidson, Joe Veleno, and Brendan Gallagher, providing energy and veteran leadership. Patrik Laine’s absence due to a lower-body injury continues to hamper Montreal’s offensive depth.

Montreal Canadiens defensive structure and goaltending

Montreal’s blue line is anchored by Mike Matheson and Noah Dobson on the top pairing, with Jayden Struble and Lane Hutson forming an intriguing second duo. The Xhekaj brothers will share the ice on the third pairing, with Arber alongside Alexandre Carrier, creating a moment that will have the Bell Centre crowd buzzing every time they hop over the boards.

In goal, the Canadiens turn to Jakub Dobes, who gets the nod over Sam Montembeault. Dobes began the season as the backup but has earned this opportunity as Montreal’s goaltending duo has struggled mightily, posting a league-low .838 combined save percentage since November 1. Dobes will need to stand tall against Toronto’s offensive weapons, particularly the Tavares line that has been carrying the Leafs’ scoring load.

Key storylines heading into the November 22 matchup

Injury impact and lineup adjustments

Both teams face significant injury challenges that have shaped their respective seasons. Toronto’s medical room contains several key names, including Matthews, Knies, Tanev, Carlo, Roy, and Stolarz. The Leafs have managed to stay afloat despite these absences, but their 1-1-2 record in the last four games suggests the strain is mounting. Head coach Craig Berube has had to rely heavily on his veterans, with Tavares logging increased minutes and responsibilities.

Montreal’s injury situation may be even more troubling. Kirby Dach’s fractured right foot will keep him out four-to-six weeks, while Alex Newhook’s broken ankle requires surgery and a four-month recovery timeline. Kaiden Guhle’s lower-body injury further weakens their defensive corps. Jake Evans’ availability was questionable after taking a high hit from Tom Wilson on Thursday that left him bleeding from the mouth. “Any time it’s with your head, you just want to make sure it’s nothing more severe,” Evans explained after returning to practice. “I don’t want to put anything at risk.”

These injuries have forced both coaching staffs to get creative with their line combinations and rely on organizational depth. The Xhekaj brothers’ shared NHL debut represents the kind of story that emerges when teams are forced to dig deep into their prospect pools.

Goaltending duel under pressure

The crease matchup features two netminders facing different kinds of pressure. Joseph Woll carries the weight of Toronto’s expectations as the de facto starter with Stolarz sidelined. His performance over this road trip could determine whether the Leafs remain in playoff contention or fall further behind in the tightly packed Atlantic Division. Woll’s ability to make key saves at crucial moments will be tested against a Montreal team desperate to break its scoring slump.

Jakub Dobes, meanwhile, gets his chance to seize the starter’s role after Montembeault’s struggles. With Montreal’s goaltending statistics ranking near the bottom of the league over the past three weeks, Dobes has an opportunity to prove he deserves more starts moving forward. The Canadiens need stability in net, particularly against a Toronto team that can generate high-danger chances through its skilled forwards.

Where the Maple Leafs vs Canadiens game will be decided

Special teams battle

Both teams must capitalize on their power play opportunities in this matchup. Toronto’s power play, even without Matthews, remains dangerous thanks to Nylander’s shot and Tavares’ net-front presence. Montreal’s penalty kill has shown cracks during their losing streak, and the Leafs must exploit any defensive zone lapses.

Conversely, the Canadiens’ power play features Suzuki’s playmaking and Caufield’s elite shooting ability. Toronto’s penalty kill has been average this season, and Montreal needs to convert with the man advantage to offset their five-on-five scoring challenges. The team that wins the special teams battle likely wins the game.

Depth scoring and line matchups

With stars missing from both lineups, secondary scoring becomes paramount. Toronto’s second line of McMann-Domi-Robertson must generate offense to support the Tavares line. If Montreal can shut down the top unit, they’ll force the Leafs to win with their bottom six, something Toronto has struggled with this season.

Montreal’s forward depth has been tested by injuries, but players like Anderson and Gallagher need to contribute offensively. The Xhekaj debut line brings energy and physicality, but can they chip in with timely goals? The matchup between Montreal’s top line of Caufield-Suzuki-Bolduc and Toronto’s Rielly-Ekman-Larsson pairing could determine the game’s flow.

Defensive zone exits and transition play

Montreal’s defense, missing Guhle and dealing with Reinbacher’s absence, must move the puck cleanly to avoid Toronto’s forecheck. Struble and Hutson offer offensive upside but can be vulnerable to physical play. The Leafs’ forward group needs to pressure Montreal’s young defenders and force turnovers in the neutral zone.

Toronto’s defense, despite its own injury issues, has shown improvement in recent games against St. Louis and Columbus. Rielly’s ability to jump into the play and Ekman-Larsson’s veteran experience provide stability, but the bottom four must avoid costly mistakes against Montreal’s opportunistic forwards.

Standings implications and rivalry context

Atlantic Division playoff race

Every divisional game carries extra weight, and this matchup counts as four-point swing in the standings. Toronto sits outside the playoff picture early in the season, while Montreal holds a tenuous grasp on a wild card position. A Leafs win pulls them within one point of Montreal, while a Canadiens victory extends their lead and provides crucial momentum heading into a difficult stretch.

The Blues vs Maple Leafs projected lineup November 18, 2025 game showed how Toronto’s depth has been tested during this challenging stretch of schedule. Saturday’s contest represents the start of a road trip that could define their season.

Historical rivalry meets present-day urgency

The Maple Leafs-Canadiens rivalry needs no introduction, but this particular installment carries unique narratives. The Xhekaj brothers’ shared NHL debut adds a human element that transcends the usual divisional grudge match. For Florian, playing his first game at the Bell Centre against Toronto represents the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance.

Meanwhile, veteran players like Tavares and Suzuki understand the importance of these games in the context of their seasons. Tavares has elevated his play with Matthews sidelined, while Suzuki continues establishing himself as Montreal’s franchise centreman. Their leadership will be crucial in guiding younger teammates through the emotional intensity of Saturday night.

Final thoughts and prediction for Maple Leafs vs Canadiens November 22, 2025

This Hockey Night in Canada matchup offers compelling storylines that extend beyond the final score. The Xhekaj brothers’ shared debut provides an emotional hook, while both teams’ injury situations test their organizational depth and resilience. Toronto’s veteran leadership versus Montreal’s youthful energy creates an intriguing dynamic that should produce an entertaining contest.

The game’s outcome likely hinges on which team better manages its absences. Toronto’s forward depth, even without Matthews and Knies, appears slightly more proven than Montreal’s injury-ravaged group. The Leafs’ ability to generate offense from multiple lines should give them an edge, particularly if Woll delivers a solid performance.

Montreal’s best path to victory involves getting early saves from Dobes, capitalizing on special teams, and feeding off the energy of the Xhekaj debut. The Bell Centre crowd will be electric, and if the Canadiens can weather Toronto’s initial push, they have the skill players to convert turnovers into scoring chances.

Predicting a 4-2 Maple Leafs victory seems reasonable given Toronto’s superior depth and Montreal’s recent defensive struggles. However, rivalry games often defy logic, and the emotional lift from Florian Xhekaj’s debut could propel the Canadiens to a much-needed win. Regardless of outcome, this Saturday night showdown will provide plenty of talking points as both teams navigate the challenges of a long NHL season.

For context on how Toronto has handled recent divisional matchups, check out our Maple Leafs vs Sabres preview from October 24, 2025, which examined similar lineup challenges early in the season. Saturday’s game represents another crucial test of the Leafs’ ability to win without their full complement of stars.