Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves will watch from the sidelines as his team faces the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night. The surprising move comes despite the Leafs’ recent 6-4 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.

Reaves, 37, has struggled to make an impact in his second season with Toronto. He’s yet to record a point in eight games and averages just 7:57 of ice time per match. In the win against Winnipeg, Reaves played only 5:27 but delivered five hits.

Nick Robertson, 23, will take Reaves’ spot on the fourth line. Robertson has netted one goal in nine games this season.

The lineup change follows Toronto’s much-needed win over the previously undefeated Jets, which ended a three-game losing streak for the Maple Leafs.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe’s decision to scratch Reaves signals a potential shift in strategy as the team looks to build momentum. The Maple Leafs aim to improve their record as they face off against the Kraken.

As the season progresses, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how this lineup adjustment affects Toronto’s performance on the ice.