GAME DAY
Another juggled Leafs lineup prepares to face more top gun talent as Jack Eichel and the division-leading Knights arrive:
Vegas Golden Knights (11-5-2) at Maple Leafs 11-6-2.
WHEN:
Wednesday 7:30 p.m.
TV: Sportsnet RADIO: FAN 590
ODDS
Vegas +110, Toronto -125
THE BUZZ
Winners of their last two games in overtime, Toronto will have two Marlie call-ups, forwards Fraser Minten and Alex Steeves with its lineup depleted by injuries and the Ryan Reaves suspension … It will be interesting to see what kind of hole Reaves leaves in the policeman’s role in coming games … “The Knights bring some offensive firepower and play the game the right way in the defensive end,” said Leaf forward Steve Lorentz. “We just have to wear them down and focus on ourselves” … Toronto coach Craig Berube is wary of the Vegas power play, second-best in the league as of Monday afternoon … Knights’ Jack Eichel was tied for fourth in league scoring with 28 points on Monday. “They’re a heavy team that control play in the offensive zone really well,” coach Craig Berube said. “Their defence is probably all 6-foot-2 or bigger” … The game begins a five-game road trip for Vegas after being blitzed 5-2 by Washington, including an Alex Ovechkin hat trick. Former Leaf Ilya Samsonov was in net for that game, but it remains to be seen if he starts against the second of his previous clubs ahead of Aidin Hill … At Scotiabank Arena, the Leafs have a combined record of 4-1-0-1 against the Knights.
THE NEWS
Auston Matthews was in Germany as of Tuesday having his upper body injury assessed at a clinic he has used before, the Leafs insisting it’s part of a plan to take advantage of a light schedule and have his injury healed for the long term … Centre David Kampf went on IR Thursday … This will be the 21-year-old Minten’s season debut.
THE QUOTE
“I’ve talked to him, trying to keep his mind space good. It’s never easy. He wants to be out there with us as badly as we want him.” – linemate Mitch Marner on Matthews’s continued absence.
THE POLL
How many games should Ryan Reaves have been suspended for?
- None
- Up to three
- 3. Five to ten
- As long as Darnell Nurse is out.
THE PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP
Forwards
Matthews Knies Max Domi William Nylander
Bobby McMann John Tavares Mitch Marner
Nick Robertson Fraser Minten Pontus Holmberg
Connor Dewar Steven Lorentz Alex Steeves
Defence
Jake McCabe Chris Tanev
Morgan Rielly Jani Hakanpaa
Oliver Ekman-Larsson Conor Timmins
Goal
Anthony Stolarz
Joseph Woll
Injuries
Toronto: C Auston Matthew (upper body), LW Max Pacioretty (leg), C David Kampf (lower body), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin), RW Ryan Reaves (suspended).
Vegas: D Ben Hutton (upper body), D Nicolas Hague (undisclosed), RW Mark Stone (lower body).
The prediction:
Not the ideal Leaf lineup for a game that could get very physical very fast. 4-2 Knights.
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