The Leafs’ draft position is locked in at fourth, and for the first time in a long time Leafs fans can feel no inner conflict about cheering for a win.
The Canadiens do have something to play for, clinching an Atlantic Division title, which is something the Leafs can spoil with a regulation win combined with a Lightning regulation or overtime-shootout win. As for playoff opponents, whether the Habs finish with the Atlantic Division title or not their current matchup (Red Wings) may not change depending on how the Wings and Lightning finish up their seasons.
This game marks the formal conclusion of a Leafs season that was over a long, long time ago. Try to enjoy the final 60 minutes of Leafs hockey for the 2014-15 season; failing that, the changes continue starting Monday:
Expect Leafs personnel changes to be made swiftly. No specifics, but dragging the process out isn't likely.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 11, 2015
Montreal Canadiens Projected Lines
Alex Galchenyuk – Tomas Plekanec – Brendan Gallagher
Devante Smith-Pelly – David Desharnais – Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau
Jacob De La Rose – Lars Eller – Dale Weise
Brandon Prust – Torrey Mitchell – Brian Flynn
Andrei Markov – P.K. Subban
Alexei Emelin – Jeff Petry
Nathan Beaulieu – Greg Pateryn
Carey Price
Dustin Tokarski
Scratched: Manny Malhotra, Sergei Gonchar, Greg Pateryn, Mike Weaver.
Injured: Max Pacioretty (upper body) Tom Gilbert (upper body).
Maple Leafs Projected Lines
James van Riemsdyk – Tyler Bozak – Phil Kessel
Richard Panik – Nazem Kadri – Joakim Lindstrom
David Booth – Peter Holland – Joffrey Lupul
Brandon Kozun / Casey Bailey – Zach Sill – Colton Orr
Eric Brewer – Dion Phaneuf
Jake Gardiner – Morgan Rielly
Andrew MacWilliam – Tim Erixon
Jonathan Bernier
James Reimer
Scratched: Casey Bailey / Brandon Kozun, Leo Komarov
Injured: Nathan Horton (back), Stephane Robidas (shoulder), Roman Polak (sports hernia), Trevor Smith (upper body)
Status report: Komarov practiced Friday, but did not take the morning skate and is not expected to play. … Gilbert is expected to miss his second straight game for the Canadiens.
Who’s hot: Van Riemsdyk has scored in three of Toronto’s past four games and has three goals and six points in the past six games. … Rielly has points in four of his past seven games. … Brewer has three points in the past four games. … Plekanec has scored in Montreal’s past three games. He has five points in that span.
