The Toronto Maple Leafs had arguably their worst performance of the season in Boston earlier this month, losing 5-1 to the arch-rival Bruins in the second of back-to-back games with backup Garret Sparks in net.
The rematch of divisional foes at Scotiabank Arena on Monday will be slightly different, as the Leafs will have Frederik Andersen (NHL leader in wins) making his 20th start of the season and the Bruins will be without Leaf killer Patrice Bergeron (upper body) and top defensive pair Charlie McAvoy(concussion) and Zdeno Chara (knee).
“(Bergeron and Chara) are a big part of their team.” Andersen said. “(The Bergeron line) is known as one of the best in the league, they’ve been producing a lot of goals, so it’s something we’ve got to be ready for.”
Even with key players absent, the Bruins have David Pastrnak leading the club with 17 goals and Brad Marchand with 21 points leading the club, which has earned points in their last five games (3-0-2) and are two points behind Toronto in the Atlantic.
Toronto could have one lineup change, as defenseman Nikita Zaitsev was absent from the morning skate due to illness and Martin Marincin skated in his place with Jake Gardiner and tonight’s contest marks the 1600th game of winger Patrick Marleau’s NHL career.
Injured center Auston Matthews was on the ice for the morning skate and did not wear a non-contact jersey, but did not take any line rushes, which indicates that he is not quite ready to return to the lineup. Last Saturday marked four weeks since Matthews was hurt against Winnipeg, but the Leafs can afford to be patient and not rush him back, since they are 8-5 without him in the lineup.
Auston Matthews on the ice with teammates at Scotiabank Arena, not wearing the red non-contact jersey. #Leafspic.twitter.com/vXBX5J5CME
Their continues to be speculation that the Leafs are closing in on a contract with William Nylander with just five days remaining until the December 1 signing deadline. Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston on Chris Johnston reported on the weekend that a long-term contract was still a possibility, but a bridge deal for a lesser amount is still an option.
Based on the numbers reported earlier that two sides were offering, the Leafs have stuck to their stance and are hoping to get Nylander’s camp to come down to an amount of Pastrnak’s deal ($6.66 Million AAV), an amount that the Bruins forward is quite happy with.
“Hopefully he is going to be signed soon” Pastrnak said of friend Nylander to reporters on Monday. “If you (said to) me when I was 15 that I was going to be playing for $6 million a year when I’m 22, I would not think you were (telling) the truth. It’s a dream come true.”
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