NHL Game Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning | 04/03/2024

Toronto, ON – The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing off against the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight as they are in their final 10 percent of the season. The Leafs have a chance at clinching a playoff spot tonight if they are able to get at least one point. The Leafs also still have a chance at home ice advantage in the first round as the Panthers are only 4 points ahead of them, with the Leafs having two games in hand.

• TV: Sportsnet
• Radio: TSN 1050
• Time: 7:00 PM ET

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Last Meeting:

The Leafs and Lightning haven’t faced off since November 6th, 2023 in a thriller of a game that saw 11 goals total, with the Leafs winning 6-5 in overtime. Matthews scored two goals that night and will look to add to the scoreboard tonight as he sits at 62 goals with 8 games left to play. The Lightning are looking to firm up their playoff spot as well, so they will look to play a competitive full effort tonight.

LEAFS QUICK LOOK (43-22-9)

3^rd in the Atlantic, 10^th in the NHL

Leafs to Keep an Eye on:

• Morgan Rielly returns tonight from injury after spending 4 games out of the lineup. The team has been playing relatively well in Rielly’s absence, but adding Rielly back to the back end should make a difference. The powerplay has been struggling, and having Liljegren and Rielly out hasn’t helped. Rielly will look to catch up to speed quickly, similar to when he came back from his 5 game suspension.
• Joseph Woll gets the nod in between the pipes tonight and will look to put up another solid game after a solid start against Washington. Woll hasn’t been quite the same since coming back from his injury, but will look to string some successful starts here and build momentum towards the playoffs.
• William Nylander has been having a career season this year and landed an 8-year extension with the Leafs midway through the season. With 8 games left to go, Nylander has 95 points and could become the second Leaf in recent years to break over the 100-point threshold in a season. Look for Nylander to stay engaged both on and off of the puck tonight.

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