Toronto Maple Leafs: Observations from 3-1 win over the Ducks

2) Lineup changes

The defence wasn’t the only thing that was changed for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mitch Marner found himself on the fourth line once again, and with a familiar face. It wasn’t Dominic Moore at centre this time, instead, Tyler Bozak slotted in between Marner and Matt Martin.

More from Toronto Maple Leafs

• Maple Leafs Rumours: Half of NHL teams interested in Ilya Mikheyev
• Toronto Maple Leafs: How to address the goaltender position
• Leafs reward Timothy Liljegren with extension after breakout season
• Maple Leafs: Jack Campbell situation becoming increasingly uncertain
• Jason Spezza retires, joins Toronto Maple Leafs front office

Bozak was stapled to the bench during Monday’s game against the Sharks after a poor performance. Patrick Marleau took his spot as the second line centre in that game and did the same against the Ducks, on a line with James van Riemsdyk and Connor Brown.

Josh Leivo was once again inserted into the lineup and played on the Nazem Kadri line.

The Leafs got a few good chances in the game but couldn’t solve John Gibson until the third, when Marleau potted a rebound off a Hainsey point shot to make it 2-1.