Maple Leafs Confirm Lineup for Potential Series-Tilting Game 4 Against the Panthers

With the potential to go up 3 games to 1 on the Florida Panthers with a win tonight in Sunrise, South Florida, the Maple Leafs will need to put forth their best effort, or risk heading back to Toronto with the series knotted up at 2 games apiece.

A valiant effort on Friday night saw the Maple Leafs tie the game in the 3rd period, forcing overtime, but the result was not the desired one, as Brad Marchand scored the game winner in the extra frame.

There was some speculation that perhaps we would see a lineup change or two for the Leafs for Sunday's Game 4, especially after Bobby McMann was elevated to the 2nd line in the late stages of Game 3. However, Craig Berube has opted to run a very similar lineup for Game 4 to the one he's been running all series long.

In fact, the only change will see Matt Murray reintroduced as the backup goaltender in place of Dennis Hildeby, who played the backup role for Joseph Woll on Friday. Murray was reportedly ill and did not feel up to dressing and sitting on the bench for Game 3.

Other than that, all of the lines and pairings will be a carbon copy of last game's roster -- at least to start.

Auston Matthews was absent from practice on Sunday, which was a bit concerning, given the fact that he has missed a number of practices in these playoffs, and has been dealing with a lingering injury.

Rest assured, though, that Matthews will be in the lineup tonight. That much was already confirmed by the Maple Leafs following the morning skate.