The Toronto Maple Leafs will visit the New Jersey Devils for the second time in the young NHL season, and while they’re inching closer to full health, they’re not all the way there yet.
The Maple Leafs held an optional skate on Tuesday ahead of their road game in New Jersey, with head coach Craig Berube announcing that Max Domi will be a game-time decision.
For the Leafs: Max Domi is a game-time (has missed 8 straight); McCabe will not play; Anthony Stolarz is the starting goalie vs the #NJDevils
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) December 10, 2024
Domi has missed the last eight games with an undisclosed injury and has struggled to get the ball rolling offensively this season, with no goals and six assists through 19 games so far. He was rotating on the second line alongside John Tavares and William Nylander at practice on Monday, making it safe to assume that’s where he’ll suit up if he’s good to go. He needs a bounce to go his way, and putting him in the top six should help with that. Berube said yesterday that he’d like to see Domi shoot the puck a little more.
“I think Max has gotta maybe take a little bit of a different approach and not be such a selfless player and shoot more,” Berube said. “Just getting to the net and the greasy areas a little more. He’s that type of player who can score goals there. He’s a strong guy, heavy guy.”
Berube also confirmed that defenceman Jake McCabe will miss his fifth-straight game after taking a shot to the back of the head near his right ear against the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 30. It was originally expected that McCabe would miss minimal time if any, but Berube has reiterated that getting him back into the lineup depends solely on how he feels, calling him a ‘warrior’ last week who would be playing if he felt good enough to do so.
Meanwhile, Anthony Stolarz is projected to get the start for the Maple Leafs against his hometown New Jersey Devils. He was deprived of that opportunity the first time around, having started the season-opener against the Montreal Canadiens the night before, but he’ll get the opportunity Tuesday night now that he and Joseph Woll are in a good rhythm.
Puckdrop is shortly after 7pm EST/4pm PST.
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