Maple Leafs get key practice boosts in Tampa as Berube's goalie plan comes into focus
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
The Maple Leafs got Auston Matthews back at practice as they look ahead to Tampa Bay on Wednesday and we now also know who is going to patrol the crease.
As the NHL heads back into action on Wednesday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the teams getting back into the swing of things early after a two-week break that offered them some much needed rest.
They are getting Auston Matthews back in the fold, and already have William Nylander and Oliver Ekman-Larsson returning from the Olympics to get themselves back on track and continue their three-game win streak they had prior to the break.
With Matthews back, and the rest of the team ready to get going, it looks like Craig Berube is going to have all of his weapons at his disposal, though a question about who starts still remains.
Matthews and Tavares back at practice, Stolarz to start
Does the team hope the break gave Anthony Stolarz more rest and that he'll be back to his top form? Do they go with Joseph Woll and trust in him to lead them past a Jon Cooper-less Lightning?
Well it looks like Berube is going with Stolarz in Tampa Bay, but his reasoning as to why is pretty clear:
Matthews on the ice in Tampa Bay this morning as is Tavares (missed yesterday's practice with the flu), Stolarz in the starter's net. Berube mentioned yesterday that Woll played well in Florida earier this year so he's leaning that way on the back-to-back.
Woll gave up only one goal on 32 shots against the Panthers on January 6th, so Berube would like to give him the nod against a team he has some moderate success against.
That leaves Stolarz, who has yet to face the Lightning this year but holds a career 2-0-1 record with a 2.93 GAA and .903 SV% against them, to lead the Maple Leafs to their fourth straight victory.
Tampa Bay will be without head coach Jon Cooper as he has taken a personal leave of absence for the next two games, and it will be up to Tampa's coaching staff to weather the storm ahead (no pun intended).
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Brad Marchand's postgame comment about Sidney Crosby after gold medal loss draws reaction
Brad Marchand's postgame comment about Sidney Crosby after gold medal loss draws reaction