Toronto Maple Leafs (26-13-2) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (17-18-5)
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., Wells Fargo Center
TV: SNO Radio: TSN 1050
Odds: Maple Leafs, -127, Flyers +102
The buzz
After beating the Flyers in overtime on Sunday, a victory would give the Leafs their fifth in a row. Toronto has not won five consecutive games since it went on a seven-game winning streak last Feb. 13-24 … At five-on-five two days ago, the Flyers outshot the Leafs 27-22 and had 14 high-danger scoring chances to the Leafs’ 11. Of those, Philadelphia had just two in the third period … The Flyers’ minus-21 goal-differential was fifth-worst in the NHL before games on Monday … The Flyers have won nine games in regulation. That ties them with San Jose for fewest in the NHL … The Leafs owned the Flyers in the faceoff circle on Sunday, winning 67% (37 of 55) of the draws. Auston Matthews won 13 of 17, while John Tavares won 10 of 13. On the Flyers’ side, Morgan Frost won three of 13, while Noah Cates won six of 18 … The teams combined for 76 hits on Sunday. Leafs defenceman Simon Benoit led all players with seven … The Flyers return home after six consecutive road games. They’re 8-9-1 in their own building … The Leafs have won four consecutive road games, not having lost since Dec. 14 at Detroit.
The news
With Jake McCabe going on injured reserve on Monday with an upper-body injury, the Leafs recalled Marshall Rifai from the Toronto Marlies. Either Rifai or Conor Timmins, who has been a healthy scratch on the Toronto blue line, will draw in … Joseph Woll is expected to be in the Leafs net. If so, it would be his first career appearance against the Flyers.
The quote
“Another good one against a highly skilled team. Shut down the middle of the ice for the most part in the neutral zone, limited their chances. They get the last one there. We get them again and (we’ll) try to do the same thing and get one more than them.”
— Flyers forward Scott Laughton after the game on Sunday
The poll
Of the four Eastern Conference teams that were within two points of the final wildcard spot prior to games on Monday, which one has the best shot at grabbing that spot?
The projected Leafs lineup
Forwards
Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Max Pacioretty-John Tavares-William Nylander
Bobby McMann-Max Domi-Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz-David Kampf-Connor Dewar
Defence
Oliver Ekman-Larsson—Chris Tanev
Morgan Rielly-Philippe Myers
Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins
Goal
Joseph Woll
Dennis Hildeby
The injuries
TOR: D Jake McCabe (upper body), G Anthony Stolarz (knee), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee).
PHI: G Samuel Ersson (lower body), F Nicolas Deslauriers (upper body).
The prediction
The Flyers gave the Leafs a good run on Sunday and get some revenge. Call it 3-2 Philadelphia, giving the Leafs’ mentors a sour taste to start their trip.
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