maple leafs

Giordano, Blackwell debut, "Next Gen" and Mrazek returns; Leafs vs. Devils

Mar 23, 2022 • 11:41 am

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The Toronto Maple Leafs get back into action after a three-day respite against the New Jersey Devils at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday, with new teammates Mark Giordano and Colin Blackwell making their debut.

It was not completely restful with the annual stress of the NHL Trade Deadline, but with the roster is set the club is focusing on the final quarter of the season, the tight race in the Atlantic Division, and the stretch drive for the playoffs.

"I think the expectation for our D corps moving forward now is to be a strength of this team and to be real solid and be an area that our coaches and our teammates can rely on us." Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly said. "I think the guys are positive with the moves that we made, bringing those two guys are moves that will help our team be better and the players that are here are happy to still be here. We're pumped about what we have here for the next month and a half."

Safe to say they like it, @justinbieber ðŸ˜‰#NextGenGame x @drewhouse pic.twitter.com/z5UpLUwppA
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 23, 2022

The game will not only feature a new-look lineup, but a new look with the club wearing a black and blue “Next Gen… jersey, something that some in the mostly traditional fanbase are not particularly happy with, but that some are not displeased by.

"This is new. We've worn the blue and the white, outdoor game jersey, the St. Pats, and now this. We've worn five, in a pretty small amount of time. I'm a bit more traditional. I like the blue and white," Rielly said, "But I think that is cool to change it up. I think that the response to this jersey has been good."

Giordano will partner with Timothy Liljegren in his first game as a Leaf, while Blackwell lined up with Jason Spezza and Wayne Simmonds at practice on Tuesday. After three straight games as the backup and being placed on waivers before the deadline, Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe will go back to Petr Mrazek against the Devils, who will likely go with Jon Gillies in their second game in back-to-back nights.

“Petr’s a guy who has great experience in this league and in finding his game and then going on a great run, so for those reasons, so for all those reasons it’s natural to get him going again, for sure,… Keefe said.

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