For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter The Toronto Maple Leafs have the luxury of playing games with little consequence. Over the final six games of the regular season, other than individual achievements such as Mitch Marner reaching 100 points, John Tavares scoring 50 goals or Morgan Rielly eclipsing Ian Turnbull’s club-record for most points by a defenseman, the Leafs need only four points to clinch third place in the Atlantic Division and lock in their second straight postseason meeting with the Boston Bruins. Toronto begins a three-game road trip in Philadelphia on Wednesday, against a Flyers club that has been all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention after consecutive losses to the NY Islanders and Washington last weekend. Head coach Mike Babcock will make only tinkering moves to his lineup, inserting Tyler Ennis and Igor Ozhiganov on the bottom pairing and fourth line in place of Trevor Moore and Justin Holl, but more impactful changes may be on the horizon, as injured blueliners Travis Dermott and Calle Rosen could return to action as soon as Saturday when the Leafs take on the Ottawa Senators. The unknown is how much we will see of goalie Frederik Andersen get over the next 10 days. The Leafs netminder will make his 57th start of the season on Wednesday (eighth in the NHL in spite of missing three weeks due to injury). Andersen is still considered a candidate for the Vezina Trophy, but his numbers have trailed off in March (5-2-2 record, 3.64 GAA and .887 save percentage in 10 games) as they did at the end of last season.
It was clear last April that the Leafs goaltender was fatigued after playing 66 regular season games and that likely contributed to his subpar performance against Boston. For Toronto to have a chance, they will need Andersen to be rested and in mid-season form.
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It’s Here.
— The Leafs Convo (@TheLeafsConvo) March 26, 2019
The Convo at One Year.
Enjoy the pod.
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