Okay, every game matters from here on out, but with the Leafs just passing the Panthers over the weekend to grab the third divisional playoff spot (Panthers with two games at hand) this is a golden opportunity for the Leafs to put a little distance between themselves and Florida.

You probably blocked it from your memory, but the last time these two teams met it didn’t go so well for the Leafs, and losing 8-4 again wouldn’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence in the Leafs.

Alas, the Leafs are on a three game winning streak, and hopefully they are looking to ride this hot streak all the way to a clinched playoff spot and the glory beyond.

Lineups

LW	C	RW	Forwards
ZACH HYMAN Rating: 74.5#37 LW	AUSTON MATTHEWS Rating: 82.7#4 C	MITCH MARNER Rating: 78.1#7 RW	FL1 Rating Rating: 78.43#5 FL1
ALEXANDER KERFOOT Rating: 71.9#85 LW	JOHN TAVARES Rating: 78.3#13 C	WILLIAM NYLANDER Rating: 77.0#12 RW	FL2 Rating Rating: 75.76#7 FL2
ANDREAS JOHNSSON Rating: 72.3#74 LW	PIERRE ENGVALL Rating: 73.0#73 C	JASON SPEZZA Rating: 70.1#110 RW	FL3 Rating Rating: 71.80#15 FL3
DMYTRO TIMASHOV Rating: 71.7#89 LW	FREDERIK GAUTHIER Rating: 69.7#158 C	TREVOR MOORE Rating: 69.7#118 RW	FL4 Rating Rating: 70.37#20 FL4

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS	Defense
JAKE MUZZIN Rating: 74.2#27 LD	JUSTIN HOLL Rating: 72.2#17 RD	DL1 Rating Rating: 73.21#22 DL1
MARTIN MARINCIN Rating: 70.8#102 LD	TYSON BARRIE Rating: 76.2#13 RD	DL2 Rating Rating: 73.53#18 DL2
RASMUS SANDIN Rating: 74.2#28 LD	CODY CECI Rating: 70.9#86 RD	DL3 Rating Rating: 72.56#14 DL3

LW	C	RW	Forwards
JONATHAN HUBERDEAU Rating: 80.0#6 LW	ALEKSANDER BARKOV Rating: 79.6#10 C	EVGENII DADONOV Rating: 76.0#20 RW	FL1 Rating Rating: 78.52#4 FL1
BRETT CONNOLLY Rating: 72.6#63 LW	VINCENT TROCHECK Rating: 74.7#44 C	NOEL ACCIARI Rating: 73.1#52 RW	FL2 Rating Rating: 73.51#22 FL2
FRANK VATRANO Rating: 75.3#29 LW	DOMINIC TONINATO Rating: 69.9#149 C	MIKE HOFFMAN Rating: 75.9#21 RW	FL3 Rating Rating: 73.71#1 FL3
COLTON SCEVIOUR Rating: 69.9#154 LW	BRIAN BOYLE Rating: 70.9#124 C	DENIS MALGIN Rating: 70.1#112 RW	FL4 Rating Rating: 70.28#22 FL4

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS	Defense
MICHAEL MATHESON Rating: 72.7#63 LD	AARON EKBLAD Rating: 75.4#16 RD	DL1 Rating Rating: 74.02#17 DL1
RILEY STILLMAN Rating: 73.1#51 LD	ANTON STRALMAN Rating: 72.6#52 RD	DL2 Rating Rating: 72.85#23 DL2
KEITH YANDLE Rating: 75.0#16 LD	JOSH BROWN	DL3 Rating Rating: 75.00#2 DL3

It seems very likely we see some changes to the Leafs lineup tonight as the status of Dermott and Kapanen are confirmed. It also looks like Brian Boyle, Anton Stralman, and Dominic Toninato will be the players that magically get on the scorecard tonight.

Here are 5 things to watch for…

1. Barrie B. Good

Tyson Barrie needed to step up in the absence of Morgan Rielly, and it’s safe to say he’s definitely done that. He’s always been a strong offensive contributor, but he’s really taken steps in getting his defensive gaps under control, and it’s been a good reminder of why the Leafs acquired him. That’s not to say that I’m not completely still thinking the Leafs would be wise to consider trading him at the deadline, but he’s made the time without Rielly a lot more manageable. Hopefully he’ll continue with that in a tough game tonight.

2. Kappy returns

How will Kapanen respond to sitting for a game to learn his lesson? Well, hopefully he wants to remind us why having him in makes a difference and we get some speed and scoring out of him tonight. At a time when the Leafs are entertaining offers on the winger it was a bold move to sit him, and part of me wonders if that was be they so firmly want to keep and are going to proceed with him like he’s staying, but I also wonder if alluding to off ice problems might also steer teams towards other assets the Leafs are more inclined to trade. I’ll stop galaxy braining this. Sometimes the simple thing is the thing that happened.

3. Andersen back in net

The rise of Hutchinson, at least as a starter, has been a pleasant development under Keefe, and we’re dangerously close to being at the point where we can shut up about trading for a backup. Andersen being in the net on his own terms, and getting more rest by sitting against Ottawa and recently having a bye week means we can cool it with the excuses for Andersen and simply demand the best of him. Hopefully he’ll deliver, and hopefully he’ll take that 8-4 outing against Florida to heart.

4. Is Tavares 100%?

Tavares disappeared for part of the 1st period on Saturday night, and wasn’t looking too well. Could he be the next victim of the illness that kept Travis Dermott out of the lineup? Is it possible that there are a few under the weather Leafs in the lineup tonight? Who knows at this point, but coming up with 5 things to watch for every game means that sometimes mentioning that players might be pooping lots.

5. I haven’t minded Cody Ceci lately

Cody Ceci hasn’t been terrible since he’s landed on the third pairing, and despite my early objections, he’s been a decent partner to Rasmus Sandin as he grounds himself in the NHL. I think this is important to mention because there is no shortage of Cody Ceci is bad content on this site, but he deserves to be celebrating for finding his footing as an overpriced bottom pairing defender. Maybe he’s getting those numbers up enough that someone will take notice at the trade deadline.

Gametime is 7PM ET and can be seen on TSN 4.