Marner in lineup for season opener vs. Canadiens

The Toronto Maple Leafs aren't as shorthanded as they could have been for their season opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night.

With Auston Matthews already sidelined, Mitch Marner drew into the contest after Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe labeled him a game-time decision Wednesday morning.

Marner took part in line rushes during warmups, skating alongside Nick Ritchie and John Tavares on Toronto's top forward unit, according to TSN's Mark Masters. The Maple Leafs inserted him into the lineup just before puck drop.

The lineup. pic.twitter.com/FyZxSh62eg

- David Alter (@dalter) October 13, 2021

Keefe had noted that the forward had a positive optional morning skate.

Wayne Simmonds tripped up Marner at practice on Tuesday, according to Kristen Shilton of TSN, and Marner left the ice soon after. Keefe said after the practice that pulling the 24-year-old was "precautionary" and that he'd be re-evaluated Wednesday.

Marner paced the Maple Leafs last season with 67 points in 55 games. Toronto was eliminated by its Montreal rivals in the first round of last year's playoffs.

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