Toronto Maple Leafs: John Tavares Likely to Play in Philly

The Toronto Maple Leafs may be getting some good news tonight.

Note: After publication, it was revealed that Tavares will not play tonight.

John Tavares, their best overall player, and one of the best players in the NHL, could have made his return from his hand injury tonight in Philadelphia, but it was decided he’d miss at least one more game.

The Leafs will put their 6-5-3 record on the line against the Flyers, who are 6-5-1.

The Flyers are about as good defensively as the Leafs, so at the very least this should be an entertaining game.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Flyers

The Leafs are well rested and have not played since Tuesday’s over-time loss to the Capitals.

In that game, the Leafs went 1-8 on the power-play, but half way through the game the Leafs switched Marner and Matthews back to their normal sides and the team looked way better.

Perhaps this is the start of a run for the Leafs because not only did their power-play look lethal against the Capitals after the switch, and not only will they likely be getting their best player back, but the penalty killing in overtime was the kind of stuff teams are built on.

If  you can’t get pumped up about four straight minutes of overtime penalty killing – which included absolutely fantastic work from the much maligned Cody Ceci – then nothing can get you going.

The loss was unfortunate, but really, it was unavoidable – you don’t take two penalties in OT and win.  Still, I think that game gave the team a lot to build on.

I would have preferred if the coach stuck up for his players and told OV what he could do with his lame and terrible advice, but it’s Babcock so of course he didn’t.

No need to worry though, because Babcock can’t possibly be the coach for much longer.

As for tonight’s game, it was fun to think that they were going to get Tavares back and at least that means he’s close.

But of course the fun never ends, and Jake Muzzin will miss tonight’s game after injuring his leg against the Capitals.

The good news is that Muzzin isn’t thought to be seriously injured, so the Toronto Maple Leafs might get something approximating their full lineup fairly soon, as Hyman isn’t thought to be far off either.

More good news is that the Flyers played last night, in New Jersey, where they won 4-3 in overtime, and should be a little tired tonight.

I think the Leafs are going to be pumped about Tavares return and play their best game of the season tonight.