GAMEDAY: Lots to figure out for Leafs with Vancouver’s new lineup​on February 8, 2025 at 12:00 pm

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WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m.

TV: Sportsnet RADIO: FAN 590

ODDS

Toronto -172, Vancouver +142

THE BUZZ

No sooner did the Canucks try and get their split dressing room patched over with the J.T. Miller trade, they sent the first-round pick in the deal with the Rangers to Pittsburgh with three players, including Danton Heinen and Vincent Desharnais, to land Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor … Pettersson signed a six-year, $33 million deal a couple of days later and O’Connor won Thursday’s 2-1 decision in San Jose with the rare overtime penalty shot …. The Leafs already had their West Coast fans drop down to Thursday’s 3-1 win in Seattle and they’ll be out in force Saturday. It’s a homecoming for alternate captain Morgan Rielly, who is playing better of late … Toronto is trying to avoid an eighth straight loss in Vancouver … That last Leaf win there in 2019 by a 4-1 score, featured goalie Freddy Andersen as first star, with Zach Hyman and Justin Holl getting points, all now with other teams.

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THE NEWS

The Canucks went into Friday holding a wildcard playoff spot, but the cloud followed the team back from California with the ongoing injury concern to captain and top defenceman Quinn Hughes that could impact Saturday’s game and his spot on Team USA in the 4 Nation’s Face-Off … Their third trade of the past few days was not seismic, 29-year-old depth defenceman Mark Friedman to the Predators for future considerations … Joseph Woll is expected to get the start in goal for the Leafs, who now have two goalies with wins in double figures.

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THE QUOTE

“I don’t think their game changes any. The guys they added are good players.” — Toronto coach Craig Berube on facing a revamped Vancouver lineup.

THE POLL

What’s you’re interest level in the 4 Nations Face-Off?

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1. Won’t watch, it’s a meaningless tournament
2. Will watch a bit, it beats the NHL all-star game
3. Only care if Leafs do well and none get injured
4. All in, let’s go Canada

THE PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP

Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – Max Domi
William Nylander – John Tavares – Mitch Marner
Bobby McMann – Pontus Holmberg – Nick Robertson
Max Pacioretty – David Kampf – Steven Lorentz

Defence
Jake McCabe – Chris Tanev
Morgan Rielly – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Simon Benoit – Philippe Myers

Goal
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz

INJURIES

Toronto: D Conor Timmins (upper body), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee), F Connor Dewar (upper body), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin).

Vancouver: D Quinn Hughes (lower body).

THE PREDICTION

Thatcher Demko over Joseph Woll in a low-scoring affair.

lhornby@postmedia.com

X: @sunhornby

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