WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m. Read More
WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m. TV: Sportsnet/CBC RADIO: TSN 1050 ODDS Toronto +130 Columbus -155 THE BUZZ Leading into this, lots of action at the top and bottom of the Eastern Conference food chain. The Leafs need the two points to pad their first-place lead before next week’s games in Florida and Tampa Bay, while the
WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m.
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TV: Sportsnet/CBC RADIO: TSN 1050
ODDS
Toronto +130 Columbus -155
THE BUZZ
Leading into this, lots of action at the top and bottom of the Eastern Conference food chain. The Leafs need the two points to pad their first-place lead before next week’s games in Florida and Tampa Bay, while the Jackets have lost seven of their past 10 to fall behind the Rangers and the Canadiens, the latter holding the last wild-card spot … But Columbus is going for the season sweep here, dealing the Leafs two lopsided losses so far, both with Dennis Hildeby called up in goal. This time, they’re dealing with Joseph Woll … After this, Toronto has just two home games remaining … Toronto winger William Nylander is four shots on goal away from becoming the eighth Leaf in franchise history to reach 2,000 since the stat was first recorded.
THE NEWS
Toronto will be without injured defenceman Jake McCabe and centre David Kampf for this game and possibly longer, replaced by Philippe Myers and Nick Robertson, respectively … Forward Boone Jenner has goals in five of his last six games for Columbus … Since March 13, Leafs centre John Tavares has 15 points in nine games … It will be an important bounce-back game for Jackets’ goalie Elvis Merzlikins. He lost his cool in the process of the Avalanche scoring five unanswered goals in a 7-3 loss on Thursday and was pulled for the first time this season.
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THE QUOTE
“I talk about him being a heart and soul type of player. He’s had his fair share of cuts and bruises where he’s just battling. He brings a lot of emotion and guys just feed off it.”
– Tavares on how McCabe will be missed.
THE PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP
Matthew Knies Auston Matthews Mitch Marner
Bobby McMann John Tavares William Nylander
Scott Laughton Max Domi Calle Jarnkrok
Steven Lorentz Pontus Holmberg Nick Robertson
Defence
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Chris Tanev
Morgan Rielly – Brandon Carlo
Simon Benoit – Philippe Myers
Goal
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz
Injuries
Toronto
D Jake McCabe (undisclosed), C David Kampf (upper body), LW Max Pacioretty (lower body), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee).
Columbus
LW Kevin Labanc (shoulder)
THE PREDICTION
Leafs keep it rolling with a 4-2 win.
X: @sunhornby
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