TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (36-20-2) at NEW YORK RANGERS (29-25-4)
When: Friday, 7 p.m., Madison Square Garden
TV: Sportsnet Ontario Radio: TSN 1050
Odds: Maple Leafs -120, Rangers +100
The buzz
The Leafs had a full day off in Manhattan on Thursday, catching up on some rest after winning their first three games coming out of the 4 Nations Face-off break. Some mental relaxation probably was required following an emotional overtime win in Boston on Tuesday … After they were crushed 8-2 by the Buffalo Sabres in their first game after the break, the Rangers rebounded with wins over Pittsburgh and the Islanders. They scored five goals in each victory despite being outshot 40-16 by the Penguins and 37-18 by the Islanders. Goalie Igor Shesterkin sparkled in both wins … Since agreeing to terms on an eight-year, $92-million US contract extension in December, Shesterkin is 11-11-1 with a .903 save percentage and a 2.88 goals-against average … Rangers forward J.T. Miller didn’t practise on Thursday because he was sick. The veteran has nine points (five goals and four assists) in eight games since he was acquired in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette couldn’t say after practice whether Miller will be in the lineup on Friday … TheLeafs are 6-4-0 in their past 10 visits to Madison Square Garden. They’ve won the past two meetings at MSG, outscoring the Rangers 10-5 … In the win over the Bruins, Berube flipped Bobby McMann and Matthew Knies, putting McMann on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, and Knies on the third line with Max Domi and Nick Robertson. Leafs coach Craig Berube couldn’t say with certainty whether he would maintain that switch on Friday.
The news
We’ll have a better idea Friday morning at the Leafs skate whether injured forwards Max Pacioretty and Connor Dewar will be in the lineup. After practice on Wednesday in Boston, Berube indicated that Pacioretty would probably be available to play, though the veteran said he wasn’t sure whether he would be good to go. If one or both can play, does Berube fiddle with a lineup that has been successful since the break? Would Pacioretty or Dewar bring a vast improvement over what the forward group has now? … The Rangers’ fight for a wild-card spot has taken a blow with the news that defenceman Adam Fox has been placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. “Never want to see that happen, for sure,” Laviolette said. “He’s such an important part of this team.” There’s no timetable for Fox’s return … And the Leafs will be without their top defenceman as well as Chris Tanev nurses an upper-body injury, suffered in the first period in Boston. Philippe Myers will suit up on the Toronto blue line for the first time since Feb. 8 … Provided Berube sticks with his goaltending rotation, Joseph Woll will start for Toronto. In his only previous career start against the Rangers, Woll made 22 saves in a 3-2 Leafs win in New York on April 13, 2023 … Rangers defenceman K’Andre Miller and forward Chris Kreider have been nursing injuries but both practised on Thursday. The game status for each will be decided on Friday.
The quote
“He’s a one-man breakout machine. He does what it takes for the team to win hockey games, blocking huge shots, making really strong defensive plays that don’t always get recognized by everybody. But in that room, we sure recognize it.”
— Pacioretty on what the Leafs will miss with defenceman Chris Tanev out of the lineup
The poll
At 3:01 p.m. on Friday, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving reveals the lone player he was able to acquire before the NHL trade deadline. Whose name would you like to hear Treliving say?
The projected Leafs lineup
Forwards
Matthew Knies / Auston Matthews / Mitch Marner
Pontus Holmberg / John Tavares / William Nylander
Bobby McMann / Max Domi / Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz / David Kampf / Alex Steeves
Defence
Morgan Rielly / Philippe Myers
Jake McCabe / Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Simon Benoit / Conor Timmins
Goal
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz
The injuries
TOR: D Chris Tanev (upper body), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin/sports hernia), F Max Pacioretty (undisclosed), F Connor Dewar (upper body).
NYR: D Adam Fox (upper body), D K’Andre Miller (lower body), F Adam Edstrom (lower body), F Chris Kreider (upper body).
The prediction
The Leafs take Manhattan after a full day of rest and extend their winning streak to four games. 4-2 Toronto.
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