Nation Sites
The Nation Network
The LeafsNation has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
LGD: Return of the Mack
By Ryan Hobart
Apr 2, 2018, 13:35 EDT
Tonight the Maple Leafs will take on the Buffalo Sabres, and McElhinney will start a second straight game for only the second time this season. This will be the first time he does so with a healthy Frederik Andersen to back him up. McElhinney played Saturday night when the Leafs lost 3-1 to the Winnipeg Jets.
This will be a significantly less intimidating opponent for McElhinney and the Leafs. The Jets were 3rd in the NHL, and the Sabres come into tonight worst in the NHL. Despite their season-long frustrations, the Sabres have been a challenge for the Leafs this season as in many seasons prior.
Leafs Lines
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 ZACH HYMAN Rating: 72.1#119 LW |  AUSTON MATTHEWS Rating: 82.7#7 C |  WILLIAM NYLANDER Rating: 77.7#14 RW |
 PATRICK MARLEAU Rating: 74.8#34 LW |  NAZEM KADRI Rating: 78.2#27 C |  MITCH MARNER Rating: 77.0#36 RW |
 JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK Rating: 79.7#7 LW |  TYLER BOZAK Rating: 74.2#68 C |  CONNOR BROWN Rating: 71.4#63 RW |
 MATT MARTIN Rating: 69.2#120 LW |  TOMAS PLEKANEC Rating: 71.4#141 C |  ANDREAS JOHNSSON Rating: 72.8#50 RW |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | |
|---|---|
 MORGAN RIELLY Rating: 77.2#31 LD |  CONNOR CARRICK Rating: 72.3#123 RD |
 JAKE GARDINER Rating: 76.6#37 LD |  ROMAN POLAK Rating: 70.1#230 RD |
 RON HAINSEY Rating: 73.1#96 LD |  NIKITA ZAITSEV Rating: 72.5#114 RD |
GOALIES | |
 FREDERIK ANDERSEN Rating: 75.5#13 G1 |  CURTIS MCELHINNEY Rating: 69.9#54 G2 |
DailyFaceoff currently has Frederik Andersen starting, however Kristen Shilton confirmed Babcock has indicated McElhinney will get his final scheduled start of the season tonight:https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/980831838674436098
Sabres Lines
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
 ZEMGUS GIRGENSONS Rating: 70.2#182 LW |  JACK EICHEL Rating: 79.6#18 C |  JASON POMINVILLE Rating: 73.8#37 RW |
 EVAN RODRIGUES Rating: 71.2#66 LW |  CASEY MITTELSTADT Rating: 72.6#106 C |  KYLE OKPOSO Rating: 71.6#61 RW |
 SCOTT WILSON Rating: 70.8#167 LW |  RYAN O’REILLY Rating: 77.7#32 C |  SAM REINHART Rating: 75.2#52 RW |
 BENOIT POULIOT Rating: 69.8#115 LW |  JOHAN LARSSON Rating: 69.3#119 C |  NICK BAPTISTE Rating: 71.0#69 RW |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | |
|---|---|
 MARCO SCANDELLA Rating: 71.7#165 LD |  RASMUS RISTOLAINEN Rating: 75.1#52 RD |
 BRENDAN GUHLE Rating: 71.8#153 LD |  CASEY NELSON Rating: 71.1#192 RD |
 JUSTIN FALK Rating: 68.2#255 LD |  VIKTOR ANTIPIN Rating: 70.6#212 RD |
GOALIES | |
 CHAD JOHNSON Rating: 69.7#55 G1 |
Preview
The season series sits at 1-2 for the Sabres, so the Leafs will try to draw even tonight. Obviously, outside of that the Leafs have been the stronger team so one would expect a win tonight, but that’s been a dangerous expectation to have with this rivalry. We’re seeing some interesting looks here with Dermott out and some players needing rest. Matt Martin drawing in is a smart idea, keeping your depth forwards fresh heading into the playoffs is important in case of injury. It’s also good to see Johnsson staying in the lineup to hopefully keep the momentum he has going for him into the playoffs. It’s clear Babcock loves him and taking him out for rotation purposes could send the wrong message.
Puck drops in Toronto at 7 pm so be sure to tune in and cheer on the Leafs!
LGD BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE PINT
Make the Pint your home for all things game day. We give away a free pound of wings during every game either home or away. 4.40$ mugs of Bud and Bud Lights.
Breaking News
- Forget Claude Giroux—The Leafs should target Patrick Kane: Leafs Morning Take
- Maple Leafs hire Daniel Alfredsson as associate head coach, John Gruden and Brad Werenka as assistants
- Jim Hiller tasked with balancing Maple Leafs’ versatility and lineup chemistry
- How the need for speed informed the Maple Leafs’ free agency class
- Maple Leafs don’t have cap space but have flexibility