Leafs expected to announce at least one lineup change for Saturday's tilt with the Kings
Fresh off of another brutal loss to an inferior opponent, the Leafs are hoping for a spark and some additional motivation ahead of their matchup with the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. It appears as though they're looking for that spark to come from one of their veterans.
Per SI's David Alter, the Leafs appear to be dressing Wayne Simmonds on Saturday, as Simmonds was spotted wearing regular bottom six white on Friday at practice. Meanwhile, it seems as though Zach Aston-Reese will be the odd man out, donning the "extras" grey at pracctice.
We know that Simmonds can act as a catalyst both on the bench and on the ice. He's a fiery, spirited competitor who wants to win and is typically always ready and willing to do whatever it takes - whether that be a big hit, a fight or directing some choice words at the players on the bench and in the locker room to raise the level of accountability for the team.
Simmonds had appeared to be on the Leafs' trading block earlier this season, but due to an unfortunate neck injury to defenseman Jake Muzzin, the Leafs gained some additional LTIR salary flexibility and were able to call up Simmonds from the Marlies. He has since played in two games for the Buds, setting up the game-winning goal on one, but not mustering much of anything against the Vegas Golden Knights in what was the Leafs' worst outing of the season so far.
| POLL | ||
28 OCTOBRE | 439 ANSWERS Leafs expected to announce at least one lineup change for Saturday's tilt with the Kings Should the Leafs just pencil Wayne Simmonds in for every game? | ||
| Yes | 246 | 56 % |
| No | 77 | 17.5 % |
| Depends on the matchup | 116 | 26.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
