Maple Leafs Confirm Significant Blueline Changes, Scratch Ryan Reaves Versus Sabres
The Toronto Maple Leafs decided to put their defensive pairings in the blender and also scratch Ryan Reaves ahead of rematch with the Sabres.
After stealing 2 points from the Stars in Dallas on Wednesday, the Maple Leafs are back in action on Wednesday, playing the Sabres in Buffalo on Friday evening in the first half of a back-to-back.
While the Leafs did pick up the win, head coach Craig Berube was very clear in his post-game comments to the team that while they were victorious on the evening, it wasn't their best game. On Friday, it led to some changes to the defense pairings at practice and, as mentioned above, a scratch for Ryan Reaves.
With Reaves coming out of the lineup on Friday, Pontus Holmberg will be re-entering the lineup, slotting in on the 4th line with David Kampf and Steven Lorentz.
As far as the D pairings go, this is what Berube went with at practice on Friday:
Rielly-Timmins
OEL-Tanev
Benoit-McCabe
Meanwhile, Philippe Myers skated as an extra, and is expected to remain in the press box as a healthy scratch, along with Reaves.
With Auston Matthews sitting out this morning's practice, some, including The Athletic's Joshua Kloke, are concerned that Matthews may be fighting through an injury once again, be it the same one flaring back up or some new mysterious ailment. However, Berube has already confirmed that Matthews will dress tonight.
The Leafs are coming into this one with a 20-10-2 record, leading the Atlantic Division with 42 points. The Panthers are nipping at their heels, though, also racking up 42 points, though the Leafs have a game in hand. The Panthers are also in action tonight against St. Louis.
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