Maple Leafs practice saw two key returns ahead of their Saturday night game against Vancouver as Chris Tanev and Dakota Joshua were both taking part.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs head to Vancouver on Saturday night, they are going to need to make sure they have all their wits about them and make sure they come away with a victory.
After a strong start to their Western road trip, the team has faltered in back-to-back games and just lost a heart-breaker to the Seattle Kraken after Sergei Bobrovsky just couldn't make a save. It was a rough showing after such a hot streak, and they are looking to turn it around in a flash.
Maple Leafs see reinforcements arrive ahead of Canucks clash on Saturday
Lucky for them that they are going to have two key reinforcements back in the lineup as both Chris Tanev and Dakota Joshua were seen skating at practice on Friday afternoon:
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Tanev had been practising with the team recently but was in a non-contact jersey, so it's nice to see that he has advanced past that stage and is ready to return. Joshua meanwhile is going to be making his season debut after an offseason core injury put him on the shelf.
Tanev, 36, has one assist in six games this season though has 14 blocks - still good for sixth on the team, tied with Auston Matthews.
Joshua had 10 goals and 18 points last year in only 55 games after missing a large chunk of time with a lacerated kidney, but did contribute 195 hits in only 12:15 TOI so expect him to hit hard and often on Saturday.
Toronto gives Tanev and Joshua important roles upon their return
It seems like Tanev is going to be taking over Troy Stecher's role as Morgan Rielly's partner on the second pairing meanwhile Joshua takes over for Bo Groulx and slots in on the left wing on the third line:
McKenna - Matthews - Roslovic
Cowan - Paul - Nylander
Joshua - Sissons - Lettieri
Duhaime - Blueger - MacEwen
McCabe - Raddysh
Rielly - Tanev
OEL - Stecher
Stolarz
Bobrovsky
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The team is hoping that Joshua can add that extra physicality and net-front presence that will help spark the offense on the third line, meanwhile a healthy Tanev can only make things a lot easier on Morgan Rielly who frankly, has done a bang up job all things considered.
There's no rest for the wicked in Jim Hiller's lineup and right now the Maple Leafs need to make a statement when it comes to ensuring they get back on the right track.
And they're hoping that Tanev and Joshua can be the ones to help do it.
Do you think Dakota Joshua and Chris Tanev will play against Vancouver?
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