The Leafs are back in action in Philadelphia tonight, where they have a date with the Flyers. Philly, while not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, would need a miracle (i.e. winning out while the Habs and Blue Jackets both lose out) to qualify at this point.

The Leafs, meanwhile, inch closer and closer to clinching every day, but that’s more of a formality at this point?

Ideally, this would be a great time to start resting players, but I guess I’m not the coach.

Leafs Lines

LW	C	RW	Forwards
ZACH HYMAN Rating: 74.8#38 LW	JOHN TAVARES Rating: 82.7#8 C	MITCH MARNER Rating: 79.1#15 RW	FL1 Rating Rating: 78.85#11 FL1
ANDREAS JOHNSSON Rating: 75.8#32 LW	AUSTON MATTHEWS Rating: 84.5#5 C	WILLIAM NYLANDER Rating: 75.9#32 RW	FL2 Rating Rating: 78.72#2 FL2
PATRICK MARLEAU Rating: 72.8#66 LW	NAZEM KADRI Rating: 77.2#36 C	KASPERI KAPANEN Rating: 73.9#48 RW	FL3 Rating Rating: 74.61#2 FL3
Tyler Ennis****	FREDERIK GAUTHIER Rating: 68.8#189 C	CONNOR BROWN Rating: 70.4#105 RW	FL4 Rating Rating: 70.70#18 FL4

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS	Defense
MORGAN RIELLY Rating: 79.9#5 LD	RON HAINSEY Rating: 73.6#40 RD	DL1 Rating Rating: 76.73#12 DL1
JAKE MUZZIN Rating: 77.0#17 LD	NIKITA ZAITSEV Rating: 71.9#69 RD	DL2 Rating Rating: 74.47#12 DL2
Martin Marincin***	IGOR OZHIGANOV Rating: 71.4#80 RD	DL3 Rating Rating: 72.53#7 DL3

Tyler Ennis is in, as is Martin Marincin. Travis Dermott (shoulder) inches closer to returning every day, and we can only hope Jake Gardiner is close as well.

Until then, not much changes for the Leafs.

Flyers Lines

LW	C	RW	Forwards
JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK Rating: 79.0#14 LW	NOLAN PATRICK Rating: 72.0#114 C	CLAUDE GIROUX Rating: 81.0#5 RW	FL1 Rating Rating: 77.33#18 FL1
OSKAR LINDBLOM Rating: 72.6#73 LW	SEAN COUTURIER Rating: 81.9#13 C	JAKUB VORACEK Rating: 76.6#29 RW	FL2 Rating Rating: 77.04#9 FL2
RYAN HARTMAN Rating: 71.6#96 LW	SCOTT LAUGHTON Rating: 70.7#151 C	TRAVIS KONECNY Rating: 74.0#69 RW	FL3 Rating Rating: 72.11#18 FL3
MICHAEL RAFFL Rating: 70.4#121 LW	CORBAN KNIGHT Rating: 72.7#94 C	JUSTIN BAILEY Rating: 70.7#95 RW	FL4 Rating Rating: 71.28#13 FL4

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS	Defense
IVAN PROVOROV Rating: 73.5#56 LD	TRAVIS SANHEIM Rating: 72.5#57 RD	DL1 Rating Rating: 72.98#28 DL1
SHAYNE GOSTISBEHERE Rating: 77.2#14 LD	PHILIPPE MYERS	DL2 Rating Rating: 77.20#2 DL2
ROBERT HAGG Rating: 69.6#125 LD	RADKO GUDAS Rating: 72.0#68 RD	DL3 Rating Rating: 70.79#23 DL3

Leafs fans will remember these weird mixed lineups of usuals and nobodies from their bajillion years of finishing 12th in the conference and missing the playoffs. The Flyers are one of those teams these days, but the lines look quite similar to their meeting on March 15th.

No injuries up front for the Flyers. Michael Neuvirth is out, but when is he not?

Who’s Hot?

John Tavares had four goals last game. That’s pretty good, right?
James van Riemsdyk had a hat trick in Toronto two weeks ago, and he’s got 26 goals in just 60 games this season. That’s good for .43 goals per game – almost identical to the .44 he managed last year when he put up 36 goals in 81 GP for the Leafs. That contract isn’t looking half bad in year 1.

Starting Goalies

*internally screaming*

Rather than rest him, Mike Babcock is starting Frederik Andersen against the Flyers. I’m not at all worried about the playoffs, no sir, no way.

Carter Hart starts against the Leafs. He’s got a .921 on the season and has had a few solid bounce-back games to find his groove again since coming back from injury.

Puck Drop is at 7pm ET on Sportsnet. TLN Insider ThatsKappy will be at the game.

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