Seven games. That’s all that’s left in this up and down season for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
With two games against teams from Florida remaining, tonight happens to be the slightly easier one of the two. The Florida Panthers (33-30-12) are coming into town hot off a 7-3 loss to the team the Leafs will be playing in the 1st round, the Boston Bruins.
The Leafs on the other hand, are coming off a 2-1 OT loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday.
Frederik Andersen will be getting his 56th start of the season, inching closer and closer to that 60 game mark. And for the Panthers, it will be Sam Montembeault starting in net. In 8 NHL games this season, Montembeault has a .893 SV%. But, the majority of his games are in the AHL with the Springfield Thunderbirds, where he holds a .901SV% in 37 games this season.
Be on the lookout for William Nylander, as well. He hasn’t scored in his last 12 games, but he doesn’t seem to be worried.
William Nylander not sweating his run of 12 games without a goal: "I’m feeling pretty good, I know the chances are there, just haven’t been able score. It’ll come. I’d rather miss them now and score them later."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 25, 2019
The Leafs look to come out strong against a goalie who hasn’t had too much exposure in the NHL. Toronto is behind in the season series with only 1 win, and Florida with the other 2.
The game starts at 7 P.M. EST as always, and it can be found on TSN4 and TSN1050 radio.
Ins and outs
Babcock said Martin Marincin will come back in tonight for #Leafs, and Justin Holl is staying in. Igor Ozhiganov the odd man out.
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 25, 2019
Martin Marincin will be back in the lineup after missing the last 3 games with the flu bug that’s hit the Leafs hard. He will slot in beside Justin Holl to make up the 3rd defensive pairing tonight.
Injury Updates
Travis Dermott has officially been cleared for contact, but will likely need a few more practices in him before he gets back into the lineup.
Jake Gardiner skated before the morning skate, but Mike Babcock said there’s still no timeline for his return.
Calle Rosen, he played last night against the Rochester Americans, but Mike Babcock said that he would be called up, as long as he stays healthy after the next Marlies game, which is this weekend.
The Playoffs
With two and a half weeks left until playoff time, all the Leafs need to do at this point is clinch. Toronto needs 6 points to do so, and once that happens, maybe Babcock will give Andersen some much-needed rest before the playoffs get underway on April 10th.
Thanks for reading!