GAMEDAY: Maple Leafs hit Pittsburgh with perfect trip in mind
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TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (37-20-2) at PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (24-29-5)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m., PPG Paints Arena
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TV: TSN Radio: TSN 1050
Odds: Maple Leafs -172, Penguins +138
THE BUZZ
The word in Pittsburgh after practice on Saturday was that Maple Leafs forward Calle Jarnkrok could make his 2024-25 season debut on Sunday, but it was not to be. After saying on Saturday that Jarnkrok was “close” and and a possibility to play, coach Craig Berube told media on Sunday morning that Jarnkrok will not be in the lineup. On Saturday, Jarnkrok said he “felt great” in the final stage of coming back from groin/sports hernia surgery … Never mind a playoff race, the Penguins are a bad team and are trying to fight off Buffalo to stay out of last place in the Eastern Conference as the regular season winds down … After rallying to beat the Philadelphia Flyers in overtime on Thursday, the Penguins couldn’t keep the momentum going on Saturday afternoon at home, losing 3-2 to the Boston Bruins … As Kyle Dubas liked to say in Toronto, the path to success isn’t linear. The Penguins have lost four of five since the 4 Nations break and their goal differential of minus-49 is worst in the Eastern Conference. Dubas’ second year in charge in Pittsburgh is headed for another post-season miss … Leafs captain Auston Matthews, at some point, will score his 390th goal to pass Darryl Sittler for second in Leafs franchise history. Matthews, who is two points shy of 700 for his career, has just one goal in his past 10 games.
THE NEWS
Forwards Steven Lorentz and Max Domi and defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson didn’t practise on Saturday for maintenance reasons. Berube said on Sunday the Leafs have some game-time decisions to make … Defenceman Chris Tanev (upper body) was “feeling better” on Saturday, Berube said, but is unlikely to play in either of the next two Leafs games … Joseph Woll will start in net after he was too sick to get the call in New York, though he did back up Anthony Stolarz. “Just a quick 24-hour bug, so all good,” Woll said.
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THE QUOTE
“Any time you play against someone you grew up watching and idolizing a bit, even though I was a goalie, it’s pretty awesome. He has the ability to do everything. He’s one of the most complete players probably who has ever played the game. He’s dangerous wherever he is at, whether he is shooting the puck or passing.”
— Woll on Penguins superstar captain Sidney Crosby. Woll will face Crosby for the second time in the NHL on Sunday
THE POLL
On the chance that general manager Brad Treliving doesn’t trade for a centre this week, where would you stand on the club’s playoff hopes?
- My confidence is high
- They needed a third-line centre
- It’s up to the big stars anyway
- Cancel the parade
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THE PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP
Forwards
Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Pontus Holmberg-John Tavares-William Nylander
Bobby McMann-Max Domi-Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz-David Kampf-Ryan Reaves
Defence
Morgan Rielly-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Jake McCabe-Philippe Myers
Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins
Goal
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz
THE INJURIES
TOR: D Chris Tanev (upper body), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin/sports hernia), F Max Pacioretty (undisclosed), F Connor Dewar (upper body).
PIT: F Michael Bunting (abdomen).
THE PREDICTION
The Leafs win 5-2 to finish their four-game trip with four victories.
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