Having sat out the previous contest as a healthy scratch, while facing off against his former team for the first time since being traded on June 30th, Maccelli responded by having his best showing of the season so far with his first multi-point game since January 16th. He registered a primary assist on Auston Matthews' tying goal before scoring the eventual game-winner in the third period with a wrister from the slot that beat Karel Vejmelka cleanly.
At Friday's morning skate, it was revealed by head coach Craig Berube that Robertson will sit up in the press box of Keybank Arena and be out of the Leafs lineup for the very first time this season. In his place, rookie Easton Cowan will be coming back in to play bottom-six minutes as he tries to carve out a true place to start his professional career.
Well, he is available. I just didn't want to change the lineup... The last few games have been really good. We are just going to keep the lineup the same, and that's all it is. He is an important player - we all like him and want him - but sometimes, these are the decisions a coach has to make. They are not easy for the guys who aren't playing.