The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the unenviable position that half the league finds themselves in around American Thanksgiving, on the outside looking in of a Stanley Cup Playoff spot. The one bright spot for the struggling Blue and White is that in spite of being in last place in the Eastern Conference, the Leafs are five points out of a wildcard spot and third place in the Atlantic Division; the same spot the Montreal Canadiens were last season, and they made the playoffs.
Toronto had three full days to gather itself and prepare for a five-game road stretch after a 5-2 embarrassment at Centre Bell on Saturday, and on Wednesday, the club announced a number of roster moves in preparation for the first of three road games in four nights, starting with the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
After a lengthy bit of cat-and-mouse, non-specific, fog of war, lack of information regarding their injured players, the Leafs are getting three injured forwards back in the lineup in team captain Auston Matthews, winger Matthew Knies, and center Nicolas Roy.
“It’s a boost for our team, for morale, to get our captain back, and the other two guys are good and important players, (so) it’s great they are all back tonight.” Leafs head coach Craig Berube said on Wednesday morning. “We need all four lines going, all six (defensemen) going….we need everybody.”
Toronto went 1-2-2 without Matthews in the lineup, averaging less than three goals per game. Based on who remained out on the ice for the optional morning skate, wingers Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli will be healthy scratches on Wednesday. The club also made corresponding roster moves to activate the trio of returning players, sending center Jacob Quillan to the AHL Toronto Marlies and placing veteran Sammy Blais on waivers.
Joshua has led the club in hits, but has been spotty offensively and has struggled defensively, something he did in his disappointing campaign with Vancouver last season. Maccelli has not been able to find a home on any line through the first quarter of the season, getting chances with both Matthews and John Tavares.
Blais had three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in eight games after being claimed off waivers by Montreal. The 29-year-old could get reclaimed by the Habs and placed in AHL Laval, while other teams would have to place him on their NHL roster.
Joseph Woll will get the start in his fifth straight game for the Leafs after being mercy-pulled on Saturday. With back-to-back games on the weekend, Dennis Hildeby will undoubtedly get one of the starts against the Capitals or Penguins. Jet Greaves will be in goal for Columbus, who will not have leading scorer Kirill Marchenko or enforcer Mathieu Olivier in the lineup.
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