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The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to rebound from a disastrous West Coast road swing that has them just three points in front of the Florida Panthers in the race for third place in the Atlantic Division, as they play six of their next seven games at Scotiabank Arena.
The Leafs will face their likely first round opponent if they make the postseason in the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, and may have defenseman Morgan Rielly back in the lineup.
Rielly. who suffered a fractured foot against Florida on January 12, took part in a 55-minute practice with old defense partner Cody Ceci on Monday and as the quarterback on the Leafs second power play unit, but would not confirm he will make his return after missing 23 games.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated that Rielly’s return will depend on how his foot feels after a full workout. The pairing of Travis Dermott and Justin Holl remained intact, rookie Rasmus Sandin and Tyson Barrie made up the bottom pairing, and Calle Rosen and Martin Marincin were extras.
Auston Matthews walks up to the podium, in use as the #leafs adjust their media policy amid coronavirus concerns, and says: "This is different." pic.twitter.com/IrkjR6Zk2a
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 9, 2020
After scoring only three goals in regulation against San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim, Keefe chose to shake up his forward lines, reuniting the pairings of Auston Matthews and William Nylander, and John Tavares with Mitch Marner. Matthews and Nylander skated with Zach Hyman, while Kasperi Kapanen lined up on the left side with Tavares and Marner.
The third line consisted of Pierre Engvall, Alex Kerfoot and Denis Malgin, with a fourth line of Kyle Clifford, Frederik Gauthier and Jason Spezza.
Florida closed the gap in the race for third place with a 4-1 home win over Montreal, and will use up their game in hand on Monday against the Blues in St. Louis.
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We’re exasperated.
— Norman James (@IamNormanJames) March 8, 2020
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