Maple Leafs Making Changes Ahead of Blackhawks' Game

Friday, December 10, 2021

The Toronto Maple Leafs got man handled by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night, thanks to an unreal performance from Steven Stamkos. Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe made a number of in-game changes and now it appears some bigger changes are coming before Saturday's matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks.

As defensemen Jake Muzzin and Justin Holl were on the ice for the first three Lightning goals, the pair were split up mid-way through the game. This is going to continue as Toronto projects to welcome back Rasmus Sandin on Saturday 

Holl has been demoted to the bottom pair, and there's an outside chance he sits and Alex Biega plays. As for the forward group, Ondrej Kase has been one of the Maple Leafs best players and was a beast against the Lightning. He has now been moved up to the top-line and will remain on the top power-play unit.  

It also looks like Ilya Mikheyev will make his return to the Maple Leafs lineup. The speedy Russian winger broke his thumb in the preseason and has yet to dress in a game. Mikheyev requested a trade in the summer and the Leafs said thanks but no thanks, and we'll see how this develops as we creep closer to the March 21 deadline. 

The Maple Leafs are also expected to welcome back Petr Mrazek this weekend who is likely going to serve as the starter on Saturday against the Blackhawks. He's been out for several weeks with a groin injury, one that he experienced a set back with. Toronto remains without Mitch Marner who is expected to be out another couple weeks thanks to a hit in practice from Jake Muzzin.

Toronto is 6-3-1 in their last 10 and will look to get things back on track against Chicago, who are coming in hot after a shutout victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.

Photo credit:  Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports



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