For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter The Toronto Maple Leafs face a difficult challenge with a busy schedule this week without team captain John Tavares, starting with their second meeting with the Columbus Blue Jackets at Scotiabank Arena on Monday. The Leafs play four games in six nights, starting with a pair of games against Columbus (who they beat 4-1 in Columbus on October 4) and Boston at TD Garden on Tuesday, followed by another back-to-back against San Jose on Friday and in Montreal on Saturday and will be looking for better performances from starter Frederik Andersen (who is expected to play the first game in both back-to-backs) and backup Michael Hutchinson. “Can you imagine if you lost Game 1. and then you went into game 2 tired. That investment makes no sense to me whatsoever.… Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said. "When the goalie makes saves, it doesn't have to be (Andersen), it can be (Hutchinson), it can be anybody.… The Leafs are coming off a 4-3 overtime victory against the Bruins on Saturday, where a makeshift line of Auston Matthews, Andreas Johnsson and Mitch Marner factored in on both Morgan Rielly’s opening goal early in the first period and his game-winner with 1:06 left in overtime. Johnsson left Saturday’s game after blocking a shot and did not practice on Sunday, but took the optional skate at Scotiabank Arena on Monday. Columbus head coach John Tortorella indicated that forward Josh Anderson will return to the Jackets lineup, defenseman Ryan Murray is a game-time decision and that Joonas Korpisalo will get the start in net. ******* Earlier this month, Leafs GM Kyle Dubas went to Russia to scout some potential KHL free agents in advance of next summer. Reportedly, Dubas met with former NHLers Mikhail Grigorenko and Nikita Nesterov, both who play for CSKA Moscow. On HNIC’s Saturday Headlines, Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston indicated that the Leafs and Montreal Canadiens have expressed interest in CSKA Moscow forward Konstantin Olukov. Olukov, 24, finished second behind Minnesota Wild prospect Kirill Kaprizov in goals (20) last season and after seven years in the KHL could be looking to further his career in North America, as current Leaf Ilya Mikheyev did last summer. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated earlier this month that SKA St. Petersberg’s Alexander Barabanov is another KHLer that the Leafs have interest in and that Toronto is at the top of the 25-year-old winger’s list. The European pipeline is likely going to be an area that Dubas continues to explore, since he can get players that have experience and can possibly step in right away for the price of an entry-level contract. *******
Great effort against the B’s nets a win for the Buds. Norm and Mike discuss on the Sunday Spectacular.
— The Leafs Convo (@TheLeafsConvo) October 20, 2019
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