*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.
*******
The Toronto Maple Leafs hope to get off to a better start than they did in their 6-5 overtime loss against Columbus in the second of their three-game homestand against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Scotiabank Arena. The contest has all kinds of narratives tied to it with former GM Kyle Dubas coming back to Toronto for the first time since being dispatched in May, but Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe put things in proper perspective when asked if it was odd to have his longtime hockey compatriot in the building on the other side.
“It is not odd to me. I’ll be honest. It is the first time that has entered my mind today.” Keefe said, “We talked about this in Pittsburgh. You don’t coach against General Managers. We are diving into video. We are preparing to play against their team. All of that other stuff is what you guys are talking about. It is not on my mind.”
The illness going through the Leafs dressing room is continuing to have implications for their starting lineup, as TJ Brodie did not participate in the Saturday morning skate. Keefe indicated that the veteran will be a game-time decision. A welcome addition to the lineup will be Timothy Liljegren, who missed six weeks with a high-ankle sprain courtesy of Brad Marchand.
“It is going to be a bit of a challenge for him, but at the same time, even just watching the morning skate… It is a tough stretch of the schedule in terms of the volume of games that we played. It is the toughest stretch we’ve had all season. He looks like someone who is fresh, excited, and anxious to play.” Keefe said. “It has been a challenge for us to get out of our zone. We expect him to help us there.”
Liljegren skated with Morgan Rielly on the top pairing taking Brodie’s place, but will move down in the lineup if he is able to play.
Keefe updated the status of injured forward Ryan Reaves, who left in the first period of Thursday’s game with an apparent leg injury. The enforcer is likely going to find himself on injured reserve, but the injury is not expected to be long-term. The Leafs called up Pontus Holmberg on Saturday, but he skated as the extra forward, as Matthew Knies returned to his spot on the top line with Auston Matthews and William Nylander, and Noah Gregor shifted back to the fourth line with Bobby McMann and David Kampf.
Toronto will go back to Martin Jones in goal after an underwhelming performance by Ilya Samsonov against the Blue Jackets. The Leafs will be looking for stability from the veteran netminder as they got out of him in the win against the Rangers. Tristan Jarry is expected to get the start for Pittsburgh.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»