WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
TV: TSN RADIO: Sportsnet 590
ODDS
Toronto –275, Florida +200
THE BUZZ
First of three games between now and April 8 between the current top two teams in the Atlantic Division … Home debut of two newest Leafs, defenceman Brandon Carlo and centre Scott Laughton … Florida will not have its aggressive star Matthew Tkachuk and its biggest trade deadline acquisition, former Boston captain Brad Marchand. Both are injured for the next few weeks, though the Cats used Tkachuk’s LTIR money to help themselves at the trade deadline … The Leafs have picked up their power play of late and face a team that leads the league in penalties taken … Toronto, anxious to get home after playing 11 of its past 13 on the road, will likely be missing top defensive defenceman Chris Tanev for the seventh straight game … Florida likely goes with Sergei Bobrovsky in net and Toronto counters with his back-up from last year’s Stanley Cup season, Anthony Stolarz, the loser in a 5-1 decision in Sunrise last November.
THE NEWS
Florida defenceman Aaron Ekbllad was suspended 20 games this week for violating the NHL/NHLPA performance–enhancing drugs policy … Toronto right winger Mitch Marner had a shootout winner Monday in Utah as stories swirled around him refusing to waive his no-trade clause when management informed him the Carolina Hurricanes wanted him in the Mikko Rantanen trade. The Canes eventually swapped with Dallas … The Cats took Wednesday off after losing 3-2 in Boston … Winger Mackie Samoskevich has 12 goals for the Panthers, ranking 10th in NHL rookie points before Wednesday.
THE QUOTE
“These three games will be like four-pointers. We’re treating this like a playoff game. We want to make sure we’re in first place.” – Toronto defenceman Simon Benoit.
THE POLL
Where do you think the Leafs will finish the regular season?
- First place and they’ll take advantage of a wildcard series.
- Second place and full use of home ice advantage.
- Third place and cross your fingers.
- Top spot or second, but they’ll get upset in first round.
THE PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP
Matthew Knies Auston Matthews Mitch Marner
Calle Jarnkrok John Tavares William Nylander
Bobby McMann Scott Laughton Max Domi
Steven Lorentz David Kampf Pontus Holmberg
Defence
Jake McCabe – Oliver Ekkman-Larsson
Morgan Rielly – Brandon Carlo
Simon Benoit – Philippe Myers
Goal
Anthony Stolarz
Joseph Woll
Injuries
Toronto:
D Chris Tanev (upper body), LW Max Pacioretty (lower body), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee).
Florida
RW Matthew Tkachuk (groin), LW Brad Marchand (upper body).
THE PREDICTION
Panthers 4-3 in OT as Leafs must shake off a lot of road rust.
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