Lines, roster updates and starting goaltenders ahead of Bruins-Leafs game
The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs will add another chapter to their rivalry on Friday night.
Both teams find themselves among the franchises who have already punched their tickets to the playoffs, but the outcome of tonight's game could have an impact of their first round matchups.
Despite some star players sitting out this game, a high intensity game is to be expected as both Original Six franchises still have a chance at facing off in the opening round of the postseason.
The Bruins (51-25-5) enter the game on a four-game win streak while the Maple Leafs (53-21-7) hold a two-game win streak of their own prior to puck drop. The two squads have met twice this season, with Toronto coming out on top of both meetings thanks to 5-2 and 6-4 scores.
The Canadian squad will have plenty of familiar faces up in the press box, as it has already confirmed that the following players will be scratched: Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Michael Bunting, John Tavares and more.
As for the boys from Beantown, they did not hold a morning skate today, but announced a massive roster shakeup of their own.
Despite a shutout perfomance last night, Linus Ullmark will cede the crease to fellow netminder Jeremy Swayman (23-13-3) against the Leafs. He is set to face off against another rookie in Leafs goalkeeper Erik Kallgren (7-4-1).
Unless Bruce Cassidy decides to make other roster changes, we'll have to wait for the end of warm-ups to see tonight's line combinations and D pairings.
Puck drop for the Bruins-Leafs game is scheduled for 7pm ET at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena.
