The big day is finally here. Following a successful 2-0-1 California swing, the Leafs are back home and ready to host the rival Florida Panthers.

Scoreboard watching season is here. Tuesday night was electric. Nick Suzuki scored late and then won it in OT as Montreal stunned the Panthers 3-2. Meantime, Tampa smothered the Islanders 4-1.

What’s all that mean? Well, with eight regular season games remaining apiece, Toronto’s two points up on Florida and one on Tampa.

Are you not entertained? We sure are.

That’s where the conversation started on the Wednesday edition of Leafs Morning Take as Carter Hutton filled in for Jay Rosehill. The standings are so tight. They flip on a nightly basis. It’s wild. After that, we applauded John Tavares’ efforts in March. With 13 games in 15 games, the 34-year-old took home second star of the month honours in the NHL.

Brought to you by Sobeys, we offered up a full game preview. It will be Anthony Stolarz taking on Sergei Bobrovsky. Vitek Vanecek played in Montreal for the Cats. Also, Nick Robertson projects to be a healthy scratch for a third straight game as the Leafs are expected to ice the same lineup that they did over the weekend in Southern California. Meantime, we discussed Tuesday’s short practice where both Max Pacioretty and Jani Hakanpaa took part. We both see Pacioretty playing in the playoffs. The same can’t be said for Hakanpaa, who’s only been able to dress for TWO games this season.

Thanks to Charm Diamond Centres, former NHL head coach and GM Doug MacLean made his first ever appearance on the show. And he was spicy. MacLean weighed in on the Leafs/Panthers match-up, the Atlantic Division, and Toronto’s Cup chances. Additionally, he dished on Tavares’ strong season, if he would re-sign Mitch Marner, and the job Craig Berube has done thus far.

Also, we unveiled a new segment. It’s called the CRISPI HOT TAKE OF THE DAY, presented by the Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer. Essentially, three times a week, Producer Vick will have a hot take, and we’ll react to it accordingly. Today’s take: Regardless of positioning in the standings, the Maple Leafs should shit/load manage Chris Tanev down the stretch. For the record, we were split on this debate.

Jay Rosehill will be back in the mix for the Thursday edition of Leafs Morning Take. Join us at 11 AM ET for a full recap of Leafs/Panthers Round 3. Also, Jamie NOODLES McLennan is tentatively scheduled to drop by the show.

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