Preview: Leafs dress in green to confuse the Flyers

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Philadelphia Flyers: game #71

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: SBA

Broadcast/Streaming: TSN4 and NBCSP, as well as NHL.com

Opponent SBNation Site: Broad Street Hockey

The Leafs had an optional skate this morning, but there was much news about who is in and who is out. Zach Hyman will be a game-time decision, and while Kasperi Kapanen skated with Travis Dermott this morning, that’s because he’s still in the injured camp with Dermott, and won’t play.

Justin Holl will draw in on defence.

There was a lot said about various players today, so I’ll try to hit the highlights here:

Babcock said tonight is "opportunity" for Justin Holl to grab hold of a spot amid #Leafs injuries. Reiterated that "Marincin gets the call [right now] because he’s left-handed," but, "We think Dermott is probably ahead of Gardiner coming back, and he’s taking one of those spots."

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 15, 2019

Mike Babcock going w/ Frederik Andersen tonight after pulling him in last two games. Said they talked about mental toughness during summer visit in Denmark, and, well: "I think for all us, getting a good slapping once in awhile is a good thing; you adjust and you get back at it."

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 15, 2019

Maple Leafs

Lines based on yesterday’s full practice

Forward Lines

Zach Hyman/Patrick Marleau - John Tavares - Mitch Marner
Andreas Johnsson - Auston Matthews - William Nylander
Patrick Marleau/Trevor Moore - Nazem Kadri - Connor Brown
Tyler Ennis - Frederik Gauthier - Nic Petan/Trevor Moore

Defence Pairings

Morgan Rielly - Ron Hainsey
Jake Muzzin - Nikita Zaitsev
Martin Marincin - Justin Holl

Goaltenders

Frederik Andersen - starter
Garret Sparks

Philadelphia Flyers

Based on Cap Friendly/last night’s game

Forward Lines

Oskar Lindblom - Sean Couturier - Claude Giroux
James van Riemsdyk - Nolan Patrick - Jakub Voracek
Michael Raffl - Scott Laughton - Travis Konecny
Corban Knight - Philip Varone - Ryan Hartman

Defence Pairings

Ivan Provarov - Travis Sanheim
Shayne Gostisbehere - Phillippe Myers
Robert Hagg - Radko Gudas

Goaltenders

Brian Elliott - starter
Carter Hart or Cam Talbot - backup

Jake Voracek is back for the Flyers tonight, and other than that, the lineup should be about the same as the crew that lost pretty convincingly to the Washington Capitals last night.

The Leafs will be rested, and have so much to prove they don’t make words to convey it, and the Flyers will be tired and trying, almost certainly fruitlessly to get into a wild card playoff spot.

Last time these two teams met the Leafs rolled over the Flyers 6-0 and then the Flyers fired Ron Hextall. That Leafs team still exists, despite the missing defenders which make things harder. They just haven’t put it down on the ice consistently.

In other news, the Leafs are wearing their green St. Pat’s gear, which is subtly different from last year’s, which is in no way a trick to get you to buy merch.

Kadri said he loves the #Leafs St. Pats sweaters, had a previous one signed by the team and framed for his house. Glad they can wear sweaters twice this year.

As for Ron Hainsey’s assessment of the green, he said, “It’s fine.” pic.twitter.com/rGu1Yws9lS

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 15, 2019

I’m with Hainsey on this one.

Prove you deserve it, Leafs, and we’ll give some Go Leafs Go later tonight.