Toronto Maple Leafs last 10: 6-1-3, New York Rangers last 10: 5-3-2
As the season winds down, The Maple Leafs find themselves in a position to either pull clear of the teams beneath them, or stumble and fall back into the clutches of 8th/9th place.
The New York Rangers are four points behind the Maple Leafs and if Toronto should lose these 2 back-to-back games, they will be even on points with the Rangers. If they can win both of these, they all but guarantee themselves a playoff spot. Henrik Lundqvist is coming off what his team calls his best performance as a Ranger, which is a lofty proclamation. A net presence will by the key to victory for the Leafs tonight. Full stop.
The Rangers may be rounding into form at the right time of year. Their season has been a huge disappointment for the most part and the Leafs hope they can play spoiler.
Ryan O’Byrne will draw in for his first game as a Leaf, as Carlyle looks to beef up the backend anticipating a physical outing against the Rangers’ forecheck and net drive. Mike Kostka and Jake Gardiner will sit by the looks of things.
Lineup:
JVR – Bozak – Kessel
MacArthur – Kadri – Kulemin
McClement – Grabovski – Komarov
Hamilton/McLaren – Colborne – Orr
Phaneuf – Gunnarsson
O’Byrne – Liles
Franson – Fraser
Gardiner – scratched
Kostka – scratched
Net: Reimer
