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After heading to the locker room early in the 4-1 loss to Washington with an upper-body injury, the Toronto Maple Leafs were likely contemplating what they would do without the services of veteran Brian Boyle.
The big center did not return to the ice after a collision with Capitals forward Tom Wilson and head coach Mike Babcock had no update on his status after the game, but Boyle took to the ice for Thursday’s morning skate and pronounced himself ready to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre.
“We weren’t particularly happy with ourselves (against Washington), it’s a good opportunity for us (to clinch).… Boyle said on Thursday. “You set goals at the beginning of the year, and I think every team wants to be in the playoffs. You get that check mark next to your name and crossed off the list, it’s a good feeling.…
Boyle’s former club trails Toronto by five points in the battle for an Eastern Conference playoff spot and would have to win their final three games to have any chance to make the post-season, while the Leafs can complete their improbable odyssey from 30th place to a playoff spot with a win in regulation or overtime.
“(Tampa is a) good veteran team, obviously know how to play. They always play hard, they’re a proud group. They’ve been in the playoffs, they expect to be really good.… Babcock said. “it’s like anybody this time of year that has a chance, you can smell it (and) you want to be in.…
The Lightning appeared to be getting close to getting Steven Stamkos back this week, as the superstar center skated with his teammates and was upgraded to day-to-day after missing most of the season with a torn meniscus, but the Markham, ON native all but ruled out playing in Tampa’s final three games on Thursday.
"It's frustrating from an individual perspective where I want to be out there helping my team especially at this time of year, but it just doesn't feel right,'' Stamkos said. "It's tough. I mean, I want to be out there as much as anyone. I think I kind showed that last year coming back in Game 7."
Andrei Vasilevskiy will be in goal for Tampa, while Frederik Andersen returns between the pipes for Toronto after Curtis McElhinney started and lost on Tuesday.
Congrats to Frederik Andersen, the @Molson_Canadian Cup Winner for the month of March. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/3EFT9VXgg2
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 6, 2017
Andersen’s workload on the weekend may depend on how the playoff race breaks down. If the Leafs have a chance to finish second or third in the Atlantic Division, he could play both weekend games against Pittsburgh and Columbus.
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Reports earlier this week following the NHL’s announcement to not participate in the 2018 Olympics drew a reaction from a number of fronts, but the most concerning to the Maple Leafs was from KHL teams who stated publicly they would use the games in South Korea as a recruitment tool for Russian NHL free agents to return home.
CSKA Moscow Team President Igor Yesmantovich indicated that he would attempt to woo Leafs defensemen Alexey Marchenko and Nikita Zaitsev, both restricted free agents at the end of this season, but Zaitsev indicated on Thursday that the Olympics will not have an impact on his decision to sign a reported seven-year contract extension with Toronto.
“Our team (is) just concentrated on the playoffs,… Zaitsev said to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston. “I think everybody wants to play for their national team, especially in the Olympics, but it’s not the right time to think about it right now.… The 25-year-old blueliner played internationally for Russia last year in the World Championships and World Cup of Hockey, but has never represented his country in the Olympics.
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