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By no means thoughts forgetting their most up-to-date recreation in Boston, the Maple Leafs must erase the poor play of their previous two video games.
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On Saturday evening, the Leafs return to TD Backyard to play the Bruins for the primary time since Might 4, when David Pastrnak scored in time beyond regulation of Sport 7 to ship the Leafs to one more first-round exit within the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Crucially from the Leafs’ standpoint, the larger and extra urgent challenge is getting again to taking part in Craig Berube hockey — structurally sound with further grit and offensive execution — after demoralizing losses to St. Louis and Columbus.
“Guys are able to go,” Berube advised media in Boston after the Leafs’ non-obligatory morning skate. “They’re disillusioned too. That’s the best way it’s within the recreation. Gamers aren’t glad both (in) not profitable, not taking part in properly.
“There’s lots of historical past with these two groups as you guys know, so we count on a tough recreation from each groups.”
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Anthony Stolarz will begin in web for the Leafs. Jeremy Swayman will get the decision for the Bruins.
We’re within the early phases of the 2024-25 Nationwide Hockey League common season, but it surely’s nonetheless unusual to witness a recreation between the Atlantic Division rivals when neither is holding a playoff spot, as was the case earlier than video games on Saturday received underway.
With eight factors on a document of 4-4-0, the Leafs are a shade higher than the Bruins, who’re 3-4-1 for seven factors. Boston is coming off a few poor performances as properly, getting outscored 9-2 in losses to Nashville and Dallas.
A few lineup modifications are in retailer for the Leafs. On the blue line, Philippe Myers, a veteran of 158 NHL video games with Philadelphia, Nashville and Tampa Bay, is ready to make his Toronto debut.
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“He got here into camp and earned a spot,” Berube mentioned. “He performed bodily, he was good on the penalty kill, he was defending very properly again there, he’s a giant man. A easy recreation, however laborious to play towards.”
Winger Max Pacioretty is slated to return after he missed the sport on Thursday with a lower-body damage.
The Leafs scratches could be defenceman Connor Timmins and ahead Pontus Holmberg.
What does Timothy Liljegren, whose solely recreation of the season was on Oct. 16 towards the Los Angeles Kings, must do to get again within the lineup?
“Proper now, it’s a little bit little bit of a numbers recreation,” Berube mentioned. “I do know I threw him in there for a recreation and it’s laborious with one recreation.
“He needs to be affected person. That’s simply the best way it’s. We make selections as a employees and as a company about what we really feel is greatest on the time. He’s engaged on his recreation and he’ll get one other alternative.”
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If Myers performs properly when he’s rotated in, it’s doable that may expedite a Liljegren commerce. Both means, we’re unsure there’s a future for Liljegren in Toronto.
With defenceman Jani Hakanpaa (knee) and ahead Connor Dewar (shoulder) each eligible to return from long-term injured reserve for the sport subsequent Saturday in St. Louis, the Leafs must make roster strikes with a view to keep underneath the wage cap.
Hakanpaa and Dewar are with the Leafs on this journey, which features a cease in Winnipeg on Monday to play the Jets.
“I assumed it was good for them to return and be across the gamers and the staff and getting on the ice with the blokes,” Berube mentioned.
“They’re attending to the purpose the place it’s getting shut.”
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