Maple Leafs Announce a Surprising Healthy Scratch Ahead of Game in Pittsburgh
The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced an unexpected healthy scratch to make room for Max Pacioretty ahead of Saturday's clash with the Penguins.
Following last night's disappointing loss to the Washington Capitals, Leafs head coach Craig Berube didn't seem too fond of the performance of Nick Robertson, limiting the young winger to just 2 shifts in the entire 3rd period.
On Saturday afternoon, when the Leafs announced that Max Pacioretty had been activated from LTIR, there was some speculation that perhaps Robertson would sit a game to make room for the veteran.
After some deliberation this afternoon, the Leafs opted to sit someone else instead. Per David Alter of The Hockey News, it will be Nikita Grebenkin coming out of the lineup, not Robertson.
Grebenkin has quickly endeared himself to Leafs Nation with his feisty play, interesting personality and priceless interviews. Unfortunately, as the least experienced player on the roster, the Russian winger has found himself with a ticket to the press box for at least Saturday's clash in Pittsburgh.
As for Pacioretty, who recently confirmed that he is feeling like his old self following a lower-body injury, which kept him out of the lineup for several weeks, this will mark the 14th game of the season for the 36-year-old. Pacioretty has contributed 6 points for the Leafs thus far this season.
Meanwhile, Grebenkin, 15 years Pacioretty's junior, has yet to record a point in 7 appearances with the big club.
| POLL | ||
7 DECEMBRE | 2468 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Announce a Surprising Healthy Scratch Ahead of Game in Pittsburgh Are you surprised to see Nikita Grebenkin as a healthy scratch? | ||
| Yes | 1194 | 48.4 % |
| No | 1274 | 51.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
