The Leafs are in New Jersey tonight to take on the 9th-placed Devils. With the Devils sitting five behind Leafs (granted, with three teams in between), and the Leafs trying to recoup from the double loss that was the Flyers game (Lupul injury), this would be a really nice game to win in terms of alleviating any concern about the Leafs closing out their playoff berth.
Joffrey Lupul did not make the trip to New Jersey, apparently staying home in Toronto to stick his head in a bucket of ice and cool off the effects of his thermo helmet-induced head injury. I’m not going to get into the concussion issue here other than to say the whole league has serious difficulty handling the “C-word.” I will say this – certainly don’t blather broscience to the media about the most serious injury in hockey.
Anyways, it sounds like Joe Colborne may center the fourth line tonight while Jake Gardiner draws back in on defence. Clarke MacArthur likely rejoins Nazem Kadri on the wing. Those two rekindling the chemistry they had before Lupul’s return from his first injury will be rather important if Lupul’s out for an extended period of time, again.
Official lineup to come.
