The after effects of the blowout against the New York Rangers on Saturday will necessitate some lineup changes for the Toronto Maple Leafs contest against the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
Veterans David Clarkson and Carl Gunnarsson were injured in the first period of the 7-1 loss and did not return. Clarkson was injured blocking a Michael Del Zotto slap shot in the first period. Gunnarsson was hobbled after being slammed into the boards awkwardly by New York’s Carl Hagelin.
Clarkson attempted to skate on Monday but left the ice before practice and will have his injured foot looked at to determine if it is more than a severe bruise. Gunnarsson did not practice on Sunday or Monday and is having an MRI.
Leafs coach Randy Carlyle juggled his defensive pairings during practice at the Mastercard Center in Etobicoke, ON on Monday, as newly acquired Tim Gleason took Gunnarsson’s spot alongside Dion Phaneuf. Cody Franson was once again reunited with Mark Fraser and Jake Gardiner was paired with rookie Morgan Rielly.
“Based on our performance on Saturday, it’s safe to say you can expect changes.… Carlyle said after practice Monday.
Winger Jerry D’Amigo, who has added some speed and defensive chops in a fourth line role was promoted to play with Jay McClement and Nikolai Kulemin.
Toronto could find themselves with just a one point lead for the last Eastern Conference wild card spot after tonight, as the Rangers play the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden. A New York win would move them into three way tie with Philadelphia and Washington for a top three spot in the Metropolitan Division.
The Islanders should be a tired club at the Air Canada Center on Tuesday, as they take on the Dallas Stars at Nassau Coliseum on Monday and will fly to Toronto immediately after the game, but that did not make much of a difference against the Rangers, who were dominated to Pittsburgh on Friday and managed enough energy to register 50 shots and score seven times against the Leafs.
A decision on who will be in goal will not be clear until the morning skate at the ACC on Tuesday. Jonathan Bernier allowed five goals on 32 shots and was pulled late in the second period, but James Reimer was equally ineffective allowing two goals on 18 shots in the third period and had another goal disallowed due to goaltender interference, but was not significantly interfered with on the play.
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Barring the unlikely selection of Bernier or Phaneuf as Team Canada's third goaltender or member of the blueline on Tuesday, the Leafs only other possible Olympic participant is winger Nikolai Kulemin, who attended Team Russia's orientation camp last summer.
According to an article from Stephen Whyno of Canadian Press, the Leafs winger is unsure of his status for the upcoming games in Sochi based on Team Russia's plan to include a high number of KHL players on the roster.
"I don't really know what they want to do," Kulemin said last week. "It's their decision who to bring to the team. You never know what they're thinking."
Kulemin is not putting up big offensive numbers this season(11 points in 31 games), but is well respected for his defensive abilities, which might put him in good position to make the club.
"He's top guy, he can play physical game, he can make big hits, good defensive player. Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin said.
Team Russia is expected to make their roster decision on Tuesday.
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Former Leaf defenseman Tomas Kaberle has been named to the Czech Olympic squad.
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