John Tavares Returns for the Maple Leafs Against Montreal on the Wing and the Top Power Play as Miro Heiskanen Is Doubtful: Saturday NHL Injury Watch

John Tavares is expected to return to the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup on Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens after missing about three weeks with a lower-body injury. Head coach Jim Hiller said Tavares would most likely play, and practice combinations had the 36-year-old moving to left wing on the second line with Nick Paul at center and William Nylander on the right side. More important for fantasy managers, Tavares also slid back onto the top power-play unit, pushing rookie Gavin McKenna down to the second unit.

Elsewhere on Saturday's slate, Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen is doubtful against San Jose with an upper-body injury, and Edmonton's Isaac Howard is on injured reserve with a knee injury. Here is the fantasy read on each situation.

Tavares back, and on the wing

Tavares has been out since Oct. 15, and the Maple Leafs upgraded him to day-to-day midweek before he practiced in a regular sweater. The positional change is the notable part. Toronto has struggled to control play with Tavares at center at five-on-five, with one analysis noting the team won only about 32 percent of expected goals with him on the ice before the injury. Moving him to the wing alongside Paul is designed to ease his defensive burden and keep him in the offensive zone more often.

The power-play assignment matters most. Tavares has long been one of the league's best net-front power-play players, and returning to a unit with Auston Matthews and Nylander gives him an immediate path to points. Darren Raddysh quarterbacks the top unit from the point, and Jack Roslovic fills the fifth spot.

The McKenna question

The loser in the reshuffle is McKenna. The rookie has been on the top power-play unit during Tavares' absence, and moving to PP2 lowers his scoring ceiling in leagues that reward power-play points. Practice combinations are not confirmed lineups, so the real answer comes at puck drop, but managers should temper expectations for the rookie in the short term.

Fantasy calls: Add or start Tavares in deeper leagues where he was dropped during the injury, particularly in formats that reward power-play points. Keep Nylander and Matthews as must-starts. Hold McKenna in dynasty and keeper leagues, but treat him as a lower-end option in redraft until his power-play role is restored.

Heiskanen doubtful for Dallas

Heiskanen left Tuesday's win over Washington after a hit into the boards early in the second period and missed Thursday's shootout loss at Columbus, his first absence of the season. Head coach Glen Gulutzan labeled him doubtful for Saturday's home game against San Jose, and said the four days off that follow will let the Stars be patient with his recovery. Dallas returns Thursday against Winnipeg.

Heiskanen had three goals and 11 points through 14 games and was averaging nearly 26 minutes a night before the injury, so his absence reshapes the Stars' blue line.

The fantasy winner is Thomas Harley, who is expected to move to the top pairing and the top power-play unit. Harley's offensive skill set makes him a strong start in any format while Heiskanen is out. Recently recalled defenseman Trey Taylor could draw into the lineup, but carries no fantasy value.

Howard and Malkin

Edmonton placed Howard on injured reserve this week after he hurt his left knee in the Nov. 1 win over the Islanders. Coach Mike Babcock said he would be out a couple of weeks, and the IR placement does not change that timeline. Howard is a stash only in deeper leagues.

In Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin missed a game against Vegas on Nov. 3 with a lower-body injury, and coach Dan Muse said he was a full go to return afterward. Malkin remains a start in all formats when he is in the lineup.

Betting angle

Tavares' return gives Toronto's power play a lift against a Montreal team that has been one of the East's surprises. For Dallas, Heiskanen's absence is a meaningful downgrade on paper, but the matchup against a struggling San Jose team limits the impact. The Sharks held a players-only meeting after a 7-2 loss in Los Angeles earlier this week and lost again Friday in Minnesota. For the model's full Saturday board, see the NHL predictions page and the nightly NHL picks on the Verdexed blog.

What's next

Watch the Leafs' morning skate for confirmation of Tavares' line and power-play spot, then Dallas' practice schedule early next week for any Heiskanen update ahead of Thursday's game. If Heiskanen misses another game, Harley stays a top streaming defenseman. If Tavares produces on the top power play, expect Hiller to keep the unit together, which would extend McKenna's stay on PP2.