WHO: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins
WHEN: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: TD Garden in Boston
TV: TSNA RADIO: Sportsnet 590
ODDS
Toronto -140, Boston +120
THE BUZZ
An unusual opportunity for the Leafs to push the Bruins further behind the playoff 8 ball. While there’s plenty of season to go, a Toronto regulation win increases the difficulty for Boston to make progress against several teams just in front or directly behind them, all chasing a wildcard berth … In a role reversal from last Thursday’s 4 Nations Face-Off final, captains Auston Matthews (Toronto) and Brad Marchand (Bruins) will switch what were their national team dressing rooms at TD Garden … Leaf winger Mitch Marner is still on a high from Beantown after he assisted on Canada’s tournament winning goal … Matthews comes in needing one goal to pass Darryl Sittler for second place in Toronto franchise goals (390) … Toronto has won twice since the schedule break, Boston lost its only game in overtime. The Leafs have a 2-1 edge in the season’s series … Matthew Knies had a hat trick against Boston on Jan. 4, Morgan Rielly has two goals against them this season.A
THE NEWS
The Bruins are missing two vital defencemen, Charlie McAvoy hurting his shoulder during the 4 Nations, while Hampus Lindholm might not return this season with a knee injury. That puts some strain on general manager Don Sweeney, who is used to making depth moves at the trade deadline to support a Stanley Cup run, not worry about plugging holes in hopes of making the playoffs … The Leafs had Monday off, so coach Craig Berube has not announced whether Joseph Woll or Anthony Stolarz will start in net, though Woll played at Boston University and Stolarz might prefer Friday’s assignment in New York, near his New Jersey roots … Toronto has not changed its roster through the past two games other than switch goalies … Forward Connor Dewar is ready to come off IR as soon as Tuesday.
THE QUOTE
“We’ve got some fun buildings coming up. It’s a fun time to be on the road.” — winger Max Domi on Toronto’s current four-game trip that began in Chicago and ends in Pittsburgh.
THE POLL
Which two teams currently out of an Eastern Conference playoff spot will eventually qualify?
Boston/Columbus
Rangers/Islanders
Montreal/Philadelphia
Two other teams or combinations
THE PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP
Matthew Knies Auston Matthews Mitch Marner
Pontus Holmberg John Tavares William Nylander
Bobby McMann Max Domi Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz David Kampf Alex Steeves/Ryan Reaves
Defence
Jake McCabe — Chris Tanev
Morgan Rielly — Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Simon Benoit — Connor Timmins/Philippe Myers
Goal
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz
Injuries
Toronto:
LW Max Pacioretty (lower body), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin).
Boston:
D Charlie McAvoy (shoulder), D Hampus Lindholm (knee).
THE PREDICTION
Boston rallies for a low-scoring 2-1 overtime win.
X: @sunhornby