It's the second game of a back t0 back in April with seven games to play in the regular season and nothing left to play for. For the Leafs, that should only mean resting regular players and getting to the playoffs without any incidents. Okay, sure, home ice advantage in the playoffs is still not decided, but the Leafs only need six points in seven games to deny the Lightning that chance.

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Mitch Marner, Mark Giordano, Jake McCabe, and Ryan O'Reilly are all sitting out tonight. I include ROR because he's said he could play if he had to but sees no reason to rush himself. Marner is going to heal some bumps and bruises as well as recieve some load management. Giordano and McCabe are probably both in the same boat of "not injured enough to sit, but injured enough to sit this game". The Leafs have given their 39-year-old LD a couple games off now.

Any team can lose to anyone in the NHL. The Leafs, who are a 100-point team, might have a slightly more positive chance of winning against Detroit if they played everyone available, but it wouldn't be to their benefit. All that needs to happen tonight is some entertaining hockey, don't get blown out, and avoid all stray elbows and knees. Avoid the hit and miss the play, none will judge.

Lines

Michael Bunting - Auston Matthews - Calle Järnkrok
Alex Kerfoot - John Tavares - William Nylander
Zach Aston-Reese -David Kämpf -  Sam Lafferty
Nick Abruzzese - Radim Zohorna - Wayne Simmonds

Morgan Rielly - Luke Schenn
TJ Brodie - Justin Holl
Connor Timmins - Timothy Liljegren  

Matt Murray - likely starter
Ilya Samsonov

Lines updates above via pregame skate.

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And before y'all jump into the comments, here's a shot from SDA.

Game Coverage