Lines at Leafs morning skate Hyman-Tavares-Marner Johnsson-Matthews-Kapanen Marleau-Nylander-Brown Lindholm- 🐐-Ennis Rielly-Hainsey Gardiner-Zaitsev Muzzin-Dermott Holl-Ozhiganov Andersen starts Sparks
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LGD: Game 1 Post-Par
By ThatsKappy
Feb 25, 2019, 16:00 EST
How we holding up? It’s still allegedly a Game Day!
Nic Petan’s Toronto Maple Leafs host the Buffalo Sabres tonight at Scotiabank Arena for the first time this season. The two clubs met once before in Buffalo, with Auston Matthews leading the Leafs to a thrilling overtime victory.
After a strong effort in a comeback win on Saturday, the Leafs will be looking to gain ground in the Atlantic Division’s top three, while the Sabres are clinging to their last bit of hope at making a push for the playoffs. They’re currently six points out with a game in hand.
Leafs Lines (Not Really)
Expect Trevor Moore to slot in for the now-traded Par Lindholm. Moore was recalled this afternoon, and appears poised to stick with the team down the stretch.
No Nazem Kadri (concussion).
Sabres Lines (Probably)
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 JEFF SKINNER Rating: 80.9#8 LW |  JACK EICHEL Rating: 80.6#16 C |  JASON POMINVILLE Rating: 73.1#56 RW | FL1 Rating Rating: 78.18#16 FL1 |
 CONOR SHEARY Rating: 71.8#91 LW |  EVAN RODRIGUES Rating: 72.0#110 C |  SAM REINHART Rating: 76.3#30 RW | FL2 Rating Rating: 73.36#24 FL2 |
 TAGE THOMPSON Rating: 69.9#128 LW |  VLADIMIR SOBOTKA Rating: 68.2#176 C |  KYLE OKPOSO Rating: 71.4#88 RW | FL3 Rating Rating: 69.82#31 FL3 |
 SCOTT WILSON Rating: 70.7#111 LW |  JOHAN LARSSON Rating: 68.9#139 C |  ZEMGUS GIRGENSONS Rating: 70.1#161 RW | FL4 Rating Rating: 69.90#27 FL4 |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 JAKE MCCABE Rating: 71.6#85 LD |  RASMUS RISTOLAINEN Rating: 75.5#27 RD | DL1 Rating Rating: 73.52#25 DL1 |
 RASMUS DAHLIN Rating: 74.0#39 LD |  ZACH BOGOSIAN Rating: 71.4#82 RD | DL2 Rating Rating: 72.74#19 DL2 |
 NATHAN BEAULIEU Rating: 71.2#94 LD |  MATT HUNWICK Rating: 71.2#85 RD | DL3 Rating Rating: 71.17#22 DL3 |
No Brandon Montour for the Sabres yet, though he’ll physically join the team in Toronto tonight after being acquired from the Ducks.
Kyle Okposo returns to the lineup after being sidelined with a concussion.
Casey Middlestadt remains out.
Starting Goalies
Expect Hutton (.912) and Andersen (.922) to be your starters. Freddie was subpar early on against Montreal, but rebounded with a strong back half. Hutton has had a couple of strong outings on a row for the Sabres, so this could be a tight one.
Puck drop is at 7pm ET on TSN4.
Breaking News
- Gavin McKenna might be a Mitch Marner replacement but not in year one
- Maple Leafs’ activity on Day 1 of free agency indicates heavy investment into next two years
- Ryan Tverberg reportedly signs 1-year, $850K extension with Maple Leafs
- Leafs development camp scrimmage notebook: McKenna’s playmaking, Koblar shines, Nansi wins superlatives, quick hits
- Gavin McKenna confirms he’ll wear No. 92 for Maple Leafs