Tonight's game in Toronto features two Northeast Division teams that find themselves in very different situations. The Bruins have dropped 5 out of their last 6 games (1-2-3) and while their play has been alarming there is no immediate concern of them missing the playoffs. While up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs have played their way into a shot at the playoffs (at least mathematically). The Leafs are currently 4 points out of playoff contention with 10 games to go with the Carolina Hurricanes and Atlanta Thrashers ahead of them in the race for 8th place.
Injury Report
The Bruins injury widget was actually accurate. This is rare.
Colby Armstrong (foot) and Jonas Gustavsson (heart) are also out for the Leafs.
Notes:
- Andrew Ference is considered a game-time decision.
- The Bruins only held an optional skate this morning, but Tim Thomas was the first goalie off the ice.
- Former Bruins defenseman Matt Lashoff has been called up by the Leafs for tonight's game.
- Brad Marchand is serving the last game of his 2-game suspension for a head shot on R.J. Umberger during Tuesday night's game in Columbus.
- After tonight's game, Mark Recchi will be 125 games behind all-time leader Gordie Howe on the NHL's games played list.
- According Globe and Mail columnist and my former boss here at SB Nation Hockey James Mirtle, the Maple Leafs will need to go 8-1-1 over their next 10 games to sneak into the playoffs while the Bruins will have to completely shit the bed at 0-11-1 to miss the postseason.
- Tomas Kaberle will be making his first trip back to the arena named after an airline run by irrational morons.
- The Bruins are 2-1-1 in 4 games against the Maple Leafs this season.
- Tonight's game starts shortly after 7:00 PM ET and will air on NESN in New England markets, NHL Network in other U.S. markets, and CBC in Canada. 98.5 FM The Sports Hub will have the radio broadcast.
- The Public Skate open thread get underway a half hour before puck drop.
- For more on the Leafs, head over to Pension Plan Puppets