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The Toronto Maple Leafs return home to start a three-game homestand against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Scotiabank Arena, a contest that you would think would pose no issues for the Leafs, but their history against the NHL’s bottom dwellers would indicate otherwise.
The Leafs have a seven-game point streak (5-0-2) and are coming off tying their highest offensive output of the season, scoring seven goals in a win over the New York Rangers, but the club is battling the flu and according to head coach Sheldon Keefe, the lineup for tonight may be in flux.
“We are still kind of sorting that stuff.… Keefe said on Thursday. “Every team goes through it. Seems like this is the time of year that it occurs. It seems like it has happened around the league, too. We just have to manage it the best we can. Our medical people, trainers, and equipment guys are doing all that we can to manage it. We have to work through it.…
Rookie Matthew Knies did not play in New York on Tuesday and will likely not be in the lineup on Thursday due to just coming through his illness, but it is unknown whether the Leafs will go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen as they did against the Rangers or will play with 12-6.
Ilya Samsonov (5-1-4, 3.29 GAA, .884 save %) will be in goal for Toronto, while Elvis Merzlikins fresh off injured reserve will be in goal for Columbus, who are just 2-8-3 on the road and 9-16-5 overall.
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Team Canada announced their roster for the 2024 IIHF World Junior on Wednesday and both Leaf prospects Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan were selected.
Minten seemed to be destined to fill a depth role after attending Canada’s off-season workouts the last two summers, playing in the Memorial Cup last June, and making the Leafs out of training camp this fall. After playing four NHL games before being sent back to the WHL last month, the 19-year-old center has scored 15 points (5 goals, 10 assists) in 13 games with Kamloops and Saskatoon.
2023 top pick Easton Cowan’s selection has to be considered a bit of a surprise, but the 18-year-old has been a scoring machine since being sent back to junior by the Leafs in October. Since being sent back to the OHL’s London Knights, he is second in club scoring with 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) in 23 games.
“I sent them a note yesterday congratulating them and wishing them well. Just go out, be yourselves, and enjoy it. We will certainly be behind not just them but the entire team as the country will.… Keefe said. “They are both skilled guys, but both are very competitive and confident going out to make a difference. They both seem very confident in who they are. They have differences in their games for sure, but they are both confident in who they are. They are great, humble personalities in terms of soaking it all in.…
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