GAMEDAY: Maple Leafs Look to Extend Win Streak to Four, Facing Rangers at MSG

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (36-20-2) at NEW YORK RANGERS (29-25-4)
📅 Friday, 7 p.m ET
📺 TV: Sportsnet Ontario | Radio: TSN 1050
💰 Odds: Maple Leafs -120, Rangers +100

The Leafs had a full day off in Manhattan on Thursday, catching up on some rest after winning their first three games coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Some mental relaxation probably was required following an emotional overtime win in Boston on Tuesday.

After they were crushed 8-2 by the Buffalo Sabres in their first game after the break, the Rangers rebounded with wins over Pittsburgh and the Islanders. They scored five goals in each victory despite being outshot 40-16 by the Penguins and 37-18 by the Islanders. Goalie Igor Shesterkin sparkled in both wins.

Since agreeing to terms on an eight-year, $92-million contract extension in December, Shesterkin is 11-11-1 with a .903 save percentage and a 2.88 goals-against average.

Rangers forward J.T. Miller didn’t practice on Thursday because he was sick. The veteran has nine points (five goals and four assists) in eight games since he was acquired in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette couldn’t say after practice whether Miller will be in the lineup on Friday.

The Leafs are 6-4-0 in their past 10 visits to Madison Square Garden. They’ve won the past two meetings at MSG, outscoring the Rangers 10-5.

In the win over the Bruins, Berube flipped Bobby McMann and Matthew Knies, putting McMann on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, and Knies on the third line with Max Domi and Nick Robertson. Leafs coach Craig Berube couldn’t say with certainty whether he would maintain that switch on Friday.

Anthony Stolarz was the first Leafs goalie off the ice at the morning skate and projects to start. Veteran winger Max Pacioretty was placed on injured reserve on Friday.

The Rangers’ fight for a wild-card spot has taken a blow with the news that defenseman Adam Fox has been placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. “Never want to see that happen, for sure,” Laviolette said. “He’s such an important part of this team.” There’s no timetable for Fox’s return.

And the Leafs will be without their top defenseman as well as Chris Tanev nurses an upper-body injury suffered in the first period in Boston. Philippe Myers will suit up on the Toronto blue line for the first time since Feb. 8. Defenseman Marshall Rifai was recalled from the Toronto Marlies.

Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller and forward Chris Kreider have been nursing injuries, but both practiced on Thursday. The game status for each will be decided on Friday.

“He’s a one-man breakout machine. He does what it takes for the team to win hockey games, blocking huge shots, making really strong defensive plays that don’t always get recognized by everybody. But in that room, we sure recognize it.”

— Pacioretty, speaking on Thursday, on what the Leafs will miss with defenseman Chris Tanev out of the lineup.

Projected Lineups

Toronto Maple Leafs

Forwards:
Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – Mitch Marner
Pontus Holmberg – John Tavares – William Nylander
Bobby McMann – Max Domi – Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz – David Kämpf – Ryan Reaves

Defense:
Morgan Rielly – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Jake McCabe – Philippe Myers
Simon Benoit – Conor Timmins

Goaltenders:
Anthony Stolarz (starting)
Joseph Woll (backup)

New York Rangers

Forwards:
Artemi Panarin – Vincent Trocheck – Alexis Lafrenière
Chris Kreider – Mika Zibanejad – Will Cuylle
Jimmy Vesey – Sam Carrick – Reilly Smith
Brennan Othmann – Jonny Brodzinski – Matt Rempe

Defense:
K’Andre Miller – Will Borgen
Ryan Lindgren – Urho Vaakanainen
Zac Jones – Braden Schneider

Goaltenders:
Igor Shesterkin (starting)
Jonathan Quick (backup)

Betting Predictions (Brought to You by Bodog)

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💰 Anytime Goalscorer – Auston Matthews (+115): Matthews hasn’t been lighting the lamp lately, with just two goals in his last ten games. The bright lights of MSG might reignite his goal-scoring touch, making this a valuable bet.

💰 Anytime Goalscorer – Nick Robertson (+450): Robertson has been on a hot streak recently. At +450, betting on him to continue his scoring run offers a high-reward opportunity.

💰 Total Shots on Goal – Mitch Marner (Over 2.5, +115): Fresh off an overtime winner against Boston, Marner’s confidence is high. Expect him to be active offensively, making over 2.5 shots a promising bet.

Injury Reports:

Toronto Maple Leafs:
D Chris Tanev (upper body), D Jani Hakanpää (knee), F Calle Järnkrok (groin/sports hernia), F Max Pacioretty (undisclosed), F Connor Dewar (upper body).

New York Rangers:
D Adam Fox (upper body), D K’Andre Miller (lower body), F Adam Edström (lower body), F Chris Kreider (upper body).

Closing Thoughts

Both teams are dealing with significant injuries, particularly on defense. The Maple Leafs will look to capitalize on the Rangers’ recent defensive adjustments, while the Rangers aim to maintain their momentum despite key absences.

Go Leafs Go!