It’s do-or-die time for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Following their embarrassing Game 4 performance, the Leafs need a win in Game 5 in Boston to stave off elimination and force a Game 6 on Thursday night.
We kept things light to kick off the Tuesday edition of Leafs Morning Take. Firstly, we addressed the video from Leafs practice of Mitch Marner and William Nylander smiling on the bench. Whatever happened on Saturday night, it appears things have been patched up for now. Meantime, we also discussed Florida’s Game 5 beatdown of Tampa to eliminate the Bolts in five games. Just like Toronto, it feels like the end of an era is coming in Tampa with captain Steven Stamkos months away from unrestricted free agency. Additionally, we also talked about Seattle firing Dave Hakstol. There’s been 17 head coaching changes in the NHL in the last year alone. Wild times.
Presented by Greta Bar YYZ, we went over some news from the morning skate. Most importantly, Auston Matthews skated for about eight minutes, and at this point, he’s considered a game-time decision. Like the Nylander situation, the Leafs have been very mum and weird with what’s going on. It’s become aggravating, and quite frankly, it’s damaging Matthews’ sterling reputation.
After that, we noted that it appears that Joseph Woll will get the call —as we expected following his mop up duties in Game 4. Any way you slice it, it’s put up or shut up time. Furthermore, there’s a chance Mark Giordano could draw in for what could potentially end up being his final NHL game. It looks like T.J. Brodie is coming. Also, the fourth line with Connor Dewar on it is back intact.
Meantime, thanks to Wendy’s, we went over some of the numbers surrounding Tuesday night’s tilt in Beantown. Through four outings, Boston’s power play has outscored Toronto’s 6-1. That’s all you need to know. Special teams and goaltending —just as Sheldon Keefe laid out after practice on Monday.
Win or lose, we’ll have you covered on the Wednesday edition of Leafs Morning Take. Carter Hutton will be by as well.
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