Just a quick update:
The Maple Leafs have recalled Viktor Stalberg from the Marlies and are sending down Joey MacDonald, as Jonas Gustavsson is ready to back up Vesa Toskala Friday night in Buffalo.
Probably a good idea to start Vesa on Friday. Give Jonas an extra night off (hopefully, anyway) and keep Toskala away from the Bruins Saturday, as he’s had trouble with them this season.
It is not clear who is coming out of the lineup tomorrow for Stalberg, as he skated as an extra on the fourth line with Wallin, Mayers and Orr in practice.
My guess is that Colton Orr comes out. He took a bad, offensive-zone tripping penalty last night and probably isn’t ready to drop the gloves anyway with his black eye and all. Perhaps Rickard Wallin comes out, with Mayers moving to centre. Perhaps Blake goes back to the fourth line and Stalberg plays with Grabovski and Hagman.
And finally, Luke Schenn will return to the lineup after missing 3 games as a healthy scratch.
It looks like Jeff Finger will be the odd-man out after a -3 rating against the Coyotes and limited ice-time in the third period. However, I think Garnet Exelby is just as deserving of coming out. Last night’s loss was probably the best thing that could have happened for Schenn, as a long-winning streak would have kept him in the press box. Hopefully, the Leafs can ‘force-feed’ Schenn more ice-time, as 10-12 minutes a game hasn’t done him any good.
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