<p>The Leafs are in Minnesota for the first half of a back-to-back taking on the Wild.</p>
<p>Toronto has been lights out in their last 17 games, going 15-2 in that stretch. They&#8217;ve also won their last five games. This could be number six tonight.</p>
<p>@Auston Matthews is coming off a hat-trick performance against the Colorado Avalanche. The Leafs pulled off an 8-3 win over one of the league&#8217;s best team on Wednesday night.</p>
<p>Toronto comes into Minnesota against a Wild team that leads the Central Division with 33 points, and is only two behind the Calgary Flames for first in the Western Conference. Similar to the Leafs, the Wild are also on a five-game winning streak of their own (11-6 in their last 17 games).</p>
<p>Someone is going to lose the streak tonight.</p>
<p>In terms of players to watch out for on the Wild, the obvious one is @Kirill Kaprizov. The 24-year-old leads Minnesota in scoring with 28 points (9G, 19A) in 23 games this season.</p>
<p>@Ryan Hartman is another player to watch out for on the Wild. He leads Minnesota with 13 goals to start the season, 12 of which have come at even strength.</p>
<p>@Cam Talbot is expected to get the start for the Wild tonight. @Jack Campbell starts tonight for the Leafs.</p>
<h2><strong>The Leafs Projected Lineup</strong></h2>
<p>It was an optional skate this morning, so not many players took to the ice. But here is the <em>projected</em> Leafs lineup.</p>
<div id="forwards-container" class="three-col-table-wrap">
<table id="forwards" class="playerlist" border="0" summary="Forwards" cellpadding="5">
<tbody>
<tr id="f1">
<td id="LW1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/michael-bunting/3778/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/3778/Bunting-Michael_TOR-2022_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Michael Bunting"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">MICHAEL BUNTING</span></a></td>
<td id="C1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/auston-matthews/3030/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2433/Matthews-Auston_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Auston Matthews"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">AUSTON MATTHEWS</span></a></td>
<td id="RW1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/mitchell-marner/2870/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2475/Marner-Mitch_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Mitch Marner"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">MITCH MARNER</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f2">
<td id="LW2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/alex-kerfoot/3247/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2833/Kerfoot-Alexander_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Alexander Kerfoot"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">ALEXANDER KERFOOT</span></a></td>
<td id="C2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/john-tavares/1018/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1016/Tavares-John_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="John Tavares"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">JOHN TAVARES</span></a></td>
<td id="RW2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/william-nylander/2776/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2375/Nylander-William_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="William Nylander"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">WILLIAM NYLANDER</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f3">
<td id="LW3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/pierre-engvall/4744/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4744/Engvall-Pierre_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Pierre Engvall"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">PIERRE ENGVALL</span></a></td>
<td id="C3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/david-kampf/3341/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4620/Kampf-David_TOR-2022_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="David Kampf"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">DAVID KAMPF</span></a></td>
<td id="RW3"><a class="player-link" title="Game-time Decision" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/ondrej-kase/3102/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2685/Kase-Ondrej_TOR-2022_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Ondrej Kase"   />⚠<br />
<span class="player-name">ONDREJ KASE</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f4">
<td id="LW4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/nick-ritchie/2944/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2552/Ritchie-Nick_TOR-2022_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Nick Ritchie"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">NICK RITCHIE</span></a></td>
<td id="C4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jason-spezza/1112/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1109/Spezza-Jason_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Jason Spezza"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">JASON SPEZZA</span></a></td>
<td id="RW4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/wayne-simmonds/776/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/775/Simmonds-Wayne_TOR-2021_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Wayne Simmonds"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">WAYNE SIMMONDS</span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div id="defense-container" class="two-col-table-wrap">
<table id="defense" class="playerlist" border="0" summary="Defense" cellpadding="5">
<thead>
<tr>
<th colspan="2" scope="col" width="475">DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr id="d1">
<td id="LD1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/morgan-rielly/2319/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1935/Rielly-Morgan_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Morgan Rielly"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">MORGAN RIELLY</span></a></td>
<td id="RD1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/t-j-brodie/199/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/199/Brodie-TJ_TOR-2021_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="T.J. Brodie"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">T.J. BRODIE</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="d2">
<td id="LD2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jake-muzzin/769/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/768/Muzzin-Jake_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Jake Muzzin"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">JAKE MUZZIN</span></a></td>
<td id="RD2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/justin-holl/3271/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2857/Holl-Justin_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Justin Holl"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">JUSTIN HOLL</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="d3">
<td id="LD3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/rasmus-sandin/4806/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4806/Sandin-Rasmus_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Rasmus Sandin"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">RASMUS SANDIN</span></a></td>
<td id="RD3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/travis-dermott/3263/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2849/Dermott-Travis_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Travis Dermott"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">TRAVIS DERMOTT</span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h2><strong>Injury Updates</strong></h2>
<p>Before Toronto left for their weekend road-trip, they had one more practice at Ford Performance Centre. @Morgan Rielly did not skate on Friday, but Leafs head coach, Sheldon Keefe expects him to play tonight.</p>
<p>&#8220;Morgan blocked a shot when we were on the California road-trip,&#8221; said Sheldon Keefe after Friday&#8217;s practice. &#8220;It acted up here the last couple days, so they sent him off to get pictures of it, rather than practicing today. They came back negative, so he&#8217;ll be on the trip with us, he&#8217;ll continue to manage it, but I&#8217;d expect him to play.&#8221;</p>
<p>On another note, @Jake Muzzin collided with @Mitch Marner in practice on Friday. Marner left the ice after the collision for precautionary reasons, per Keefe after practice.</p>
<p>@Ondrej Kase was also a player who skated yesterday with the Leafs&#8217; regulars. The 26-year-old was in his normal spot on the third line. Keefe said yesterday that they&#8217;ll see how he is this morning, and well.</p>
<p>To round out the list up injury updates, @Joseph Woll practiced yesterday after missing some time due to stiffness. He said yesterday that he hopes to be available this weekend.</p>
<p>At the Leafs&#8217; morning skate, Keefe provided an update on all four players.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Keefe says, Rielly, Kase, Marner and Woll are all game-time decisions tonight.</p>
<p>&mdash; David Alter (@dalter) <a href="https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1467177011248463877?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>It&#8217;s worth noting that Woll was on the ice at the Leafs morning skate.</p>
<p>If he can&#8217;t go tonight, we&#8217;ll likely see @Michael Hutchinson as the backup tonight. As for tomorrow&#8217;s game in Winnipeg, it&#8217;s not known yet who will start for the Leafs.</p>
<p>Puck drop tonight is at 7 PM ET.</p>


The Leafs are in Minnesota for the first half of a back-to-back taking on the Wild.

Toronto has been lights out in their last 17 games, going 15-2 in that stretch. They've also won their last five games. This could be number six tonight.

@Auston Matthews is coming off a hat-trick performance against the Colorado Avalanche. The Leafs pulled off an 8-3 win over one of the league's best team on Wednesday night.

Toronto comes into Minnesota against a Wild team that leads the Central Division with 33 points, and is only two behind the Calgary Flames for first in the Western Conference. Similar to the Leafs, the Wild are also on a five-game winning streak of their own (11-6 in their last 17 games).

Someone is going to lose the streak tonight.

In terms of players to watch out for on the Wild, the obvious one is @Kirill Kaprizov. The 24-year-old leads Minnesota in scoring with 28 points (9G, 19A) in 23 games this season.

@Ryan Hartman is another player to watch out for on the Wild. He leads Minnesota with 13 goals to start the season, 12 of which have come at even strength.

@Cam Talbot is expected to get the start for the Wild tonight. @Jack Campbell starts tonight for the Leafs.
<h2><strong>The Leafs Projected Lineup</strong></h2>
It was an optional skate this morning, so not many players took to the ice. But here is the <em>projected</em> Leafs lineup.
<div id="forwards-container" class="three-col-table-wrap">
<table id="forwards" class="playerlist" border="0" summary="Forwards" cellpadding="5">
<tbody>
<tr id="f1">
<td id="LW1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/michael-bunting/3778/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/3778/Bunting-Michael_TOR-2022_.png" alt="Michael Bunting" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">MICHAEL BUNTING</span></a></td>
<td id="C1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/auston-matthews/3030/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2433/Matthews-Auston_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Auston Matthews" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">AUSTON MATTHEWS</span></a></td>
<td id="RW1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/mitchell-marner/2870/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2475/Marner-Mitch_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Mitch Marner" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">MITCH MARNER</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f2">
<td id="LW2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/alex-kerfoot/3247/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2833/Kerfoot-Alexander_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Alexander Kerfoot" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">ALEXANDER KERFOOT</span></a></td>
<td id="C2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/john-tavares/1018/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1016/Tavares-John_TOR-2020_.png" alt="John Tavares" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">JOHN TAVARES</span></a></td>
<td id="RW2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/william-nylander/2776/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2375/Nylander-William_TOR-2020_.png" alt="William Nylander" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">WILLIAM NYLANDER</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f3">
<td id="LW3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/pierre-engvall/4744/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4744/Engvall-Pierre_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Pierre Engvall" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">PIERRE ENGVALL</span></a></td>
<td id="C3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/david-kampf/3341/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4620/Kampf-David_TOR-2022_.png" alt="David Kampf" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">DAVID KAMPF</span></a></td>
<td id="RW3"><a class="player-link" title="Game-time Decision" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/ondrej-kase/3102/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2685/Kase-Ondrej_TOR-2022_.png" alt="Ondrej Kase" width="110px" height="auto" />⚠
<span class="player-name">ONDREJ KASE</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f4">
<td id="LW4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/nick-ritchie/2944/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2552/Ritchie-Nick_TOR-2022_.png" alt="Nick Ritchie" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">NICK RITCHIE</span></a></td>
<td id="C4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jason-spezza/1112/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1109/Spezza-Jason_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Jason Spezza" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">JASON SPEZZA</span></a></td>
<td id="RW4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/wayne-simmonds/776/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/775/Simmonds-Wayne_TOR-2021_.png" alt="Wayne Simmonds" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">WAYNE SIMMONDS</span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div id="defense-container" class="two-col-table-wrap">
<table id="defense" class="playerlist" border="0" summary="Defense" cellpadding="5">
<thead>
<tr>
<th colspan="2" scope="col" width="475">DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr id="d1">
<td id="LD1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/morgan-rielly/2319/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1935/Rielly-Morgan_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Morgan Rielly" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">MORGAN RIELLY</span></a></td>
<td id="RD1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/t-j-brodie/199/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/199/Brodie-TJ_TOR-2021_.png" alt="T.J. Brodie" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">T.J. BRODIE</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="d2">
<td id="LD2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jake-muzzin/769/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/768/Muzzin-Jake_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Jake Muzzin" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">JAKE MUZZIN</span></a></td>
<td id="RD2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/justin-holl/3271/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2857/Holl-Justin_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Justin Holl" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">JUSTIN HOLL</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="d3">
<td id="LD3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/rasmus-sandin/4806/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4806/Sandin-Rasmus_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Rasmus Sandin" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">RASMUS SANDIN</span></a></td>
<td id="RD3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/travis-dermott/3263/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2849/Dermott-Travis_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Travis Dermott" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">TRAVIS DERMOTT</span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h2><strong>Injury Updates</strong></h2>
Before Toronto left for their weekend road-trip, they had one more practice at Ford Performance Centre. @Morgan Rielly did not skate on Friday, but Leafs head coach, Sheldon Keefe expects him to play tonight.

"Morgan blocked a shot when we were on the California road-trip," said Sheldon Keefe after Friday's practice. "It acted up here the last couple days, so they sent him off to get pictures of it, rather than practicing today. They came back negative, so he'll be on the trip with us, he'll continue to manage it, but I'd expect him to play."

On another note, @Jake Muzzin collided with @Mitch Marner in practice on Friday. Marner left the ice after the collision for precautionary reasons, per Keefe after practice.

@Ondrej Kase was also a player who skated yesterday with the Leafs' regulars. The 26-year-old was in his normal spot on the third line. Keefe said yesterday that they'll see how he is this morning, and well.

To round out the list up injury updates, @Joseph Woll practiced yesterday after missing some time due to stiffness. He said yesterday that he hopes to be available this weekend.

At the Leafs' morning skate, Keefe provided an update on all four players.

https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1467177011248463877?s=20

It's worth noting that Woll was on the ice at the Leafs morning skate.

If he can't go tonight, we'll likely see @Michael Hutchinson as the backup tonight. As for tomorrow's game in Winnipeg, it's not known yet who will start for the Leafs.

Puck drop tonight is at 7 PM ET.

News from the Rink: Marner, Rielly, Kase, Woll all game-time decisions for Leafs vs. Wild

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