TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs have some small say Friday in figuring out their very own first-round playoff opponent, however they’ll be talking their piece in a whisper.
“We wish to get in the course of the recreation wholesome,” head trainer Sheldon Keefe stated Friday morning, forward of the regular-season finale towards the Boston Bruins.
“It is about ensuring our avid gamers and our group is in the most efficient place conceivable when it begins on Monday. So, our selections don’t alternate in any respect.”
Leader amongst the ones selections is healthy-scratching a trio of celebrity forwards — Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares — and resting No 1 goaltender Jack Campbell for max freshness come Sport 1.
“[Campbell] did not really feel he had to play this night’s recreation. Actually, he needs to proceed to paintings on some issues in observe,” Keefe stated. “We’re at the identical web page there, so it’s a very easy one for us to present [Erik] Källgren.”
With home-ice merit already locked up, the Maple Leafs will roll with a unprecedented seven-defenceman lineup and unfold mins round with its intensity forwards Friday, calling up Marlies ahead Joey Anderson as a placeholder.
If the visiting Bruins can defeat the Leafs and the Islanders beat the Lightning in any model, or if the Bruins earn some degree in Toronto and the Isles handle industry in any model, we’re observing any other Bruins-Leafs tilt in Spherical 1.
Differently, the Leafs will draw Tampa and wild-card Boston will pass over to stand the Metropolitan Department–profitable Carolina Hurricanes.
Juicy stuff for an another way meaningless recreation. (Particularly while you imagine the Islanders could also be impressed to precise some small revenge at the membership that ended their 2021 playoff run in dramatic taste.)
“As a result of we performed Tampa two times lately and since there used to be a better likelihood of taking part in them, we occupied with that. And but, we have now this recreation of Boston right here, so we now have been having a look at them as neatly,” Keefe stated.
“You taking part in to win and training to win this night, whilst being aware of avid gamers’ mins.”
Bruins trainer Bruce Cassidy, winner of 4 instantly, received’t talk to his lineup till 4:30 p.m. ET however indicated he, too, will leisure a few of his top-line avid gamers for the post-season.
“I totally suspect Boston goes to be a shell of themselves this night right here as neatly — and so they may nonetheless transfer within the standings,” Keefe stated.
“From my figuring out of it, Tampa is in reality tight to the cap and does not have a lot of flexibleness to transport their lineup round.”
Wayne Simmonds doesn’t have a lot time for those reindeer video games, then again.
“Two in reality excellent groups,” Simmonds stated. “However the focal point, I feel, will have to be on ourselves.”
Heck of a praise for the best steady season in franchise historical past: Do you wish to have to stand the two-time protecting Stanley Cup champs? Or the franchise that left you gutted following Sport 7 in 3 of your previous six journeys to the dance?
“We’ve put ourselves in a great spot. Regardless of who it is gonna finally end up being, Boston or Tampa, it’s a vital problem. Each groups are taking part in extraordinarily neatly,” Keefe stated.
“That we’re in Sport 82 and there is not anything in reality isolating them within the standings presentations simply how excellent they’re. The truth that we did not clinch domestic ice till Sport 81, in spite of atmosphere franchise information and having an awesome season, presentations simply how tight the department is.
“So, we are in a position for a struggle — regardless of who it’s.”
