Anaheim Ducks @ Toronto Maple Leafs
Air Canada Centre; Toronto, ON
7:00 PM ET; SN (Ontario)
SBN Opposing Fans: Anaheim Calling and Battle of California
Preview
The Leafs host the Anaheim Ducks tonight in what will be their final game against a Western Conference team. They are 13-13-1 against the West this year, including a 4-0 win over these Ducks in a January 6 game in Anaheim.
The Ducks are playing for something tonight. Not only do they sit four points out of the Pacific Division lead with a game in hand, but a win tonight would clinch the Ducks their fourth consecutive postseason berth. Pretty surprising, given that the Ducks equaled the Leafs' poor 1-7-2 record to start the season. Hopefully, rtesidents of Orange County aren't too busy with attending Trump rallies and not vaccinating their kids to tune in and watch their team potentially clinch.
Probable Leafs Lineup
Tyler Bozak and Brad Boyes return from injury tonight, while Frederik Gauthier has been returned to the Marlies, presumably because they won too dang much with him in the lineup. Babcock has said William Nylander will face the biggest challenge of his young career against the Ducks, so I assume the challenge is "try not to contract an airborne pathogen." Lines and starting goalie per DailyFaceoff:
Milan Michalek - Nazem Kadri - Michael Grabner
Zach Hyman - William Nylander - P.A. Parenteau
Josh Leivo - Tyler Bozak - Connor Brown
Colin Greening - Brooks Laich - Ben Smith
Martin Marincin - Morgan Rielly
Jake Gardiner - Connor Carrick
Probable Anaheim Lineup
Leafs catch a break, as Sami Vatanen is out with an injury. Ryan Kesler is also out, presumably having strained himself doing God knows what on a night on the town. Frederik Andersen is the confirmed starter for the Ducks. Lineup again per DailyFaceoff:
Brandon Pirri - Ryan Getzlaf - Corey Perry
Jamie McGinn - Rickard Rakell - Mike Santorelli
Andrew Cogliano - Shawn Horcoff - Jakob Silfverberg
Nick Ritchie - Nate Thompson - Ryan Garbutt
Hampus Lindholm - Josh Manson
Clayton Stoner - Korbinian Holzer
Frederik Andersen
Prediction
Don Cherry will grumble at home about the Leafs not drafting Ritchie, despite Nylander having more points in less games.
