The storylines for Thursday night’s clash against the New Jersey Devils write themselves.

For the first time since being canned after another Game 7 loss, Sheldon Keefe will make his highly anticipated return. In addition to that, the Leafs announced earlier today that John Tavares will be sidelined week-to-week with a lower body injury he sustained at practice on Wednesday.

Naturally, that’s where the conversation started on the Thursday edition of Leafs Morning Take. When it rains, it pours, right? The Leafs aren’t playing well, and now, they will be without the services of one of their most consistent players this season for the foreseeable future. Next man up.

Then, we got into a full game preview. This is a sneaky big game. For the first time this season, the Leafs have dropped three in a row in regulation. Crazily, they’ve scored just four goals over that time. It will be fascinating to see what they look like in this one —regardless of the opponent. Meantime, the Leafs did receive some good news as Jake McCabe is slated to make his return to the lineup following a four-game absence. Over and above all that, we did spend a lot of time talking about accountility and the big boys stepping up. Over the last little while, the team hasn’t played with much urgency or desperation for that matter. For all intents and purposes, they’ve looked like Keefe’s Leafs.

Piggybacking off that, courtesy Charm Diamond Centres, the great Jackie Redmond (WWE/TNT/NHL) dropped by the show once again to dish on her beloved Maple Leafs. And boy oh boy, did she bring the energy. Jackie was all kinds of fired up. Like most of Leafs Nation, she’s sick and tired of the same old same from this team. The interview was electric and passionate as hell.

At any rate, join us on Friday at 11 AM ET as we tie a bow on another week. We’ll recap Leafs/Devils and also look ahead to Saturday night’s tilt in Montreal. Also, we’ll play another edition of Take It or Leaf It.

You can subscribe to TheLeafsNation (TLN) YouTube page HERE. Additionally, we’re available in podcast form, too, wherever you get your podcasts. While you’re at it, be sure to leave us a 5-star review!

If you haven’t done so already, be sure to get your payments in for the first EVER TLN Nation Vacation. Join us from Thursday, March 20^th to Sunday, March 23^rd as we take our talents to Music City to watch Toronto play Nashville. As part of the unique experience, we will also be offering up some podcast recordings at Love & Exile Winery & Bar in East Nashville. BOOK TODAY!!