What Happened
The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to face the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at 7:30 p.m. EST at Amalie Arena. This game marks the first for the Leafs after a lengthy Olympic break, and they are looking to secure vital points in the standings. Coach Craig Berube has confirmed that Auston Matthews will be in the lineup, despite recent discussions about managing his workload. The Leafs have made three scratches for this game, including Easton Cowan, Dakota Joshua, and Philippe Myers.
Why It Matters
This matchup is significant for both teams as they navigate the second half of the NHL season. The Lightning currently lead the Atlantic Division with a record of 37-14-4, while the Maple Leafs sit at 27-21-9. Historically, Toronto has a slight edge in their all-time series against Tampa Bay, with 67 wins compared to Tampa’s 45. However, recent seasons have seen tightly contested games between these two rivals, making this encounter crucial for playoff positioning.
What’s Next
Following this game, the Maple Leafs will face the Florida Panthers in a back-to-back matchup, with Anthony Stolarz expected to start against the Lightning and Joseph Woll likely to take the net against Florida. As the trade deadline approaches, the Leafs aim to build momentum and solidify their playoff aspirations in the coming weeks.
