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Toronto Maple Leafs announce surprising healthy scratch against the Tampa Bay Lightning


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Alexander Cole
December 8, 2025  (12:00)
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Dec 6, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson (89) shoots the puck against the Montreal Canadiens in the first period at Scotiabank Arena.
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs are playing the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight, and in order to get prepared, the team has decided upon a lineup with an interesting omission.

Tonight is a big one for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they are taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning as part of the weekly Amazon Prime broadcast.
This is a big game as the Leafs are looking to beat one of the best teams in the Atlantic Division. If they win, they are that much closer to a playoff spot.
However, they are also looking to make some difficult lineup decisions so that they can maximize their chances of winning the game.
Some players have to come out of the lineup, and one forward has drawn the shortest straw, and it's going to be a controversial decision.

Nick Robertson scratched against the Tampa Bay Lightning

According to Luke Fox of Sportsnet, Nick Robertson and Matias Maccelli are going to be the two healthy scratches on the forward side.
Meanwhile, Calle Jarnkrok and Dakota Mermis are back in the lineup, with Philippe Myers coming back out after some bad performances.
The rest of the lineup is what you would expect, except for the fourth line. This will consist of Steven Lorentz, Scott Laughton, and Jarnkrok.
As for the other forward lines, they are the same as the other night, which is probably for the best.
Knies-Matthews-Domi
Cowan-Tavares-Nylander
Joshua-Roy-McMann
Lorentz-Maccelli*-Jarnkrok
Extra: Robertson
Absent: Laughton. *Likely a placeholder

Rielly-OEL
McCabe-Stecher
Benoit-Mermis
Myers, Tanev, Rifai,

Hildeby
Akhtyamov

Overall, this is going to be a very interesting game, and we are excited to watch how it all plays out, especially with these changes.
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DECEMBRE 8   |   513 ANSWERS
Toronto Maple Leafs announce surprising healthy scratch against the Tampa Bay Lightning

Do you believe Nick Robertson deserves to be a healthy scratch against the Tampa Bay Lightning?

YES15229.6 %
NO36170.4 %
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