GAMEDAY: Maple Leafs shooting for a split in Sunshine State

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TV: Sportsnet

RADIO: FAN 590

ODDS

Tampa Bay even, Toronto -120

THE BUZZ

This will be the second time in less than a week the Leafs get to face a team that played and travelled the day before, though the Bolts beat Nashville in a Black Friday matinee … On Oct. 21, the Leafs beat Tampa 5-2 on Bay Street, William Nylander getting three points as Toronto drove Andrei Vasilevskiy from the game. He’s likely to start this one after Jonas Johansson made 29 saves Friday … Forward Brayden Point is hot for Tampa, following up a hat trick against the Capitals with the power-play winner on Friday for five goals his past three games … It’s anticipated that returning Leafs forwards Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies restore some balance to 5-on-5 goals, with Toronto’s 39 ranking near the bottom of the league … Before Saturday, Tampa had outscored the Leafs 28-18 in the third period … Joseph Woll has not lost a regulation game in his past four starts, but Anthony Stolarz has more experience against Tampa Bay, including 32 saves in the last meeting.

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THE NEWS

Matthews is back for the Leafs, as is Knies, both first liners out with upper body injuries. They could be the spearhead of a five-forward first unit power play that coach Craig Berube worked out on Friday … Quite apart from the game is another chance for Team Canada 4 Nations Faceoff tournament coach Jon Cooper of Tampa to get a closeup of Leafs’ Mitch Marner and John Tavares with the rosters being announced next week … Nikita Kucherov and Anthony Cirelli were both hurt during Friday’s win over the Preds but came back.

THE QUOTE

“We have unbelievable chemistry together. He’s the best scorer in the league.” — William Nylander on the return of Matthews to his line and the power play

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THE POLL   

What’s behind the Leafs 5-on-5 scoring woes? 

1. Injuries
2. Too much emphasis on defence
3. Credit opposition goalies/checkers
4. Nothing’s wrong, just leave them alone

THE PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP

Matthew Knies Auston Matthews William Nylander

Pontus Holmberg John Tavares Mitch Marner

Nick Robertson Fraser Minten Steven Lorentz

Alex Steeves Connor Dewar Nikita Grebenkin

Defence

Morgan Rielly Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Jake McCabe Chris Tanev

Simon Benoit Conor Timmins

Goal

Joseph Woll  

Anthony Stolarz

Injuries

Toronto: LW Bobby McMann (lower body), LW Max Domi (lower body), C David Kampf (lower body), LW Max Pacioretty (leg), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin), RW Ryan Reaves (suspended).

Tampa Bay: F Nick Pau (foot)

The prediction:

Bolts playing for pride after last month’s stinker at Scotiabank Arena. Calling for improved Tampa Bay to triumph 4-3 in overtime.

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