The Toronto Maple Leafs will kick off their Western Canada road trip tonight as they prepare for a clash with the Pacific Division-leading Calgary Flames.
It’s been quite the week in Leafs Nation. From the unrelenting swath of injuries, to the disappointment of John Tavares’ homecoming, to his triumphant return Saturday against Buffalo, the past seven days have been a rollercoaster of emotions.
Don’t expect tonight’s matchup with Calgary to offer a break, either.
The Flames are undoubtedly one of the most surprising teams in the entire NHL this season. Coming off a summer filled with significant personnel change, Calgary has surged to the top of the Pacific Division, sitting second overall in the league standings with the third-best goal differential.
The team with the second-best differential? The Toronto Maple Leafs.
Just like any game at this point in the year, tonight’s contest carries with it some significant playoff implications. For the Leafs, a win would push them just a single point behind the Boston Bruins for second in the Atlantic Division. And with yet another first-round series with the Bruins practically inevitable now, securing home-ice advantage may represent the difference between slaying the dragon and repeating past failure.
Let’s take a look at some of the headlines leading up to puck drop.
Petan Out, Ennis In
Making his Leafs debut on Saturday, Nic Petan flourished in what was the first NHL game he’d played in over two months, netting the go-ahead goal and displaying some intriguing chemistry with Trevor Moore on the fourth line. At various points in the night, Petan flashed the skill and scoring acumen responsible for making him a prolific scorer in both the junior ranks and the AHL. It was as encouraging of a first step as anyone could have hoped.
So, naturally, Petan will be a healthy scratch the very next game.
This is the reasoning Mike Babcock gave for the move.
Mike Babcock said Tyler Ennis will go back in against Calgary on Monday. Liked Nic Petan, but said Ennis has played really well and "didn't deserve to be out of the lineup tonight."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 3, 2019
He’s right. With 3 points in his last 5 games, Tyler Ennis never should have come out of the lineup on Saturday and certainly didn’t earn the distinction of being a healthy scratch. The only problem is that, contrary to popular belief, there are other players on the Leafs’ roster whom Babcock can scratch outside of Petan and Ennis.
Players like Connor Brown, for instance, who has just 4 points in his last 15 games. Brown has been an offensive non-factor for practically the entire 2018-19 season, and if the nameplate on the back of his jersey was removed, would likely earn a night in the press box for his efforts.
Alas, that’s not the way this team works. Petan will sit once again in favour of a “gud pl’r”.
No Defence Shuffling
Speaking of “gud pl’rs”, Ron Hainsey will, once again, slot in on the top-pairing minutes alongside Morgan Rielly tonight. The 37-year-old Hainsey has logged over 19 minutes of ice time in 6 of his last 7 games, apparently showing that Babcock has no plans to rest his ageing defender before the playoffs begin over a month from now.
In other news, Justin Holl will watch his 63rd game from the press box as a healthy scratch, with Martin Marincin and Igor Ozhiganov comprising the Leafs’ third pairing for yet another night.
Is Holl’s continued exile fair? No. Is it expected? Absolutely.
As long as Babcock feels safe, well, that’s all that really matters.
Frederik Andersen is expected to fill the starter’s crease for the 48th time tonight, per DailyFaceoff. David Rittich will do the same for Calgary at the other end.
Puck drops at 9 PM.
Stats courtesy of hockeyreference.com