The Leafs have squared off against divisional rival Tampa twice this season, both times in Tampa Bay. They split those games, but looked the better team in both. Tonight will be a massive test, with the Leafs still down two of their better defensemen, but a win would see the Leafs move to within 2 points of reclaiming home ice advantage from the Boston Bruins. It’s gonna be a good one.

Leafs Lines

LW	C	RW	Forwards
ZACH HYMAN Rating: 74.6#37 LW	JOHN TAVARES Rating: 82.6#9 C	MITCH MARNER Rating: 80.7#8 RW	FL1 Rating Rating: 79.28#9 FL1
ANDREAS JOHNSSON Rating: 74.9#33 LW	AUSTON MATTHEWS Rating: 83.1#7 C	KASPERI KAPANEN Rating: 73.9#51 RW	FL2 Rating Rating: 77.29#6 FL2
PATRICK MARLEAU Rating: 73.4#60 LW	NAZEM KADRI Rating: 78.3#30 C	WILLIAM NYLANDER Rating: 74.8#43 RW	FL3 Rating Rating: 75.53#1 FL3
TYLER ENNIS Rating: 73.9#49 LW	FREDERIK GAUTHIER Rating: 70.3#162 C	CONNOR BROWN Rating: 70.1#107 RW	FL4 Rating Rating: 71.43#9 FL4

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS	Defense
MORGAN RIELLY Rating: 79.9#6 LD	RON HAINSEY Rating: 73.5#43 RD	DL1 Rating Rating: 76.67#12 DL1
JAKE MUZZIN Rating: 76.0#19 LD	NIKITA ZAITSEV Rating: 71.3#81 RD	DL2 Rating Rating: 73.67#16 DL2
MARTIN MARINCIN Rating: 71.5#90 LD	IGOR OZHIGANOV Rating: 71.9#71 RD	DL3 Rating Rating: 71.71#17 DL3

As mentioned, no Gardiner or Dermott for the Leafs. Of note, however:

Kristen Shilton

@kristen_shilton

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Noticed Travis Dermott on the ice this morning with trainer Jon Geller. Mike Babcock was asked post-skate for update on Dermott and Jake Gardiner: "Both were real happy this morning, said they’re progressing. Seemed to be in a good mood."

3:21 PM · Mar 11, 2019

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That’s good news for Leafs fans, with the playoffs now just over four weeks away.

Also:

The Leafs might be wise to let Hyman sit and recover if he’s at all banged up, especially with Trevor Moore and Nic Petan waiting in the wings. Alas, I don’t make the rules.

Lightning Lines

LW	C	RW	Forwards
ONDREJ PALAT Rating: 73.8#50 LW	STEVEN STAMKOS Rating: 82.7#8 C	J.T. MILLER Rating: 73.4#73 RW	FL1 Rating Rating: 76.65#19 FL1
TYLER JOHNSON Rating: 73.5#58 LW	BRAYDEN POINT Rating: 82.5#10 C	NIKITA KUCHEROV Rating: 90.2#1 RW	FL2 Rating Rating: 82.05#1 FL2
ALEX KILLORN Rating: 73.6#67 LW	ANTHONY CIRELLI Rating: 74.5#59 C	MATHIEU JOSEPH Rating: 72.3#72 RW	FL3 Rating Rating: 73.46#11 FL3
ADAM ERNE Rating: 71.3#106 LW	CEDRIC PAQUETTE Rating: 69.7#173 C	YANNI GOURDE Rating: 74.6#36 RW	FL4 Rating Rating: 71.87#3 FL4

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS	Defense
VICTOR HEDMAN Rating: 80.7#5 LD	MIKHAIL SERGACHEV Rating: 74.1#42 RD	DL1 Rating Rating: 77.38#10 DL1
RYAN MCDONAGH Rating: 77.3#13 LD	ERIK CERNAK Rating: 74.0#37 RD	DL2 Rating Rating: 75.63#6 DL2
BRAYDON COBURN Rating: 72.4#70 LD	JAN RUTTA Rating: 71.2#83 RD	DL3 Rating Rating: 71.77#15 DL3

Joe Smith

@JoeSmithNHL

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Looks like Stralman and Girardi still out with Rutta in. Erne back, at least he was in rushes #TBLightning

3:51 PM · Mar 11, 2019

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The Lightning, like the Leafs, are down a couple of defensemen. Beyond that, what’s there left to say? The Lightning are crazy deep, crazy good, and have already clinched a playoff spot (as if there was any doubt).

Starting Goalies

It’s a clash of the titans between the pipes tonight. Frederik Andersen (.924) and Andrei Vasilevskiy (.931) will duke it out at either end. The Leafs are going to have to play a tight game if they want to squeak out a win against a team with Vasilevskiy. There’s little room for error.

Notes

Auston Matthews is in a rut again. He’s pointless in his last four, goalless in his last six, and has just two points in his last seven games. Methinks he might be missing a certain linemate…

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