Toronto plays its final road game against a New Jersey team needing a win. Lance Hornby and Terry Koshan look at five keys to the game.
Expect to see Toronto Maple Leafs rookie defenceman Travis Dermott one more time in the 2017-18 regular season.
Dermott practised for 20 minutes Wednesday.
“I think he’s fine,” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. “He is going to skate with our guys again in (New) Jersey (Thursday) and then I think he will probably play in that last game against Montreal.”
Dermott took a shot off the left leg against Winnipeg Saturday and did not play Monday.
Against New Jersey on Thursday, the Leafs would set a club record if they get one point. The Leafs have 103, tying them with the 2003-04 team.
Frederik Andersen will start in Newark, as well as at home on Saturday.
“We need to get (Andersen) in a groove like he was early in the year,” Babcock said. “I think it’s important going into the playoffs, especially if you hope to have a long playoff run, your goalie has to be outstanding and make big saves for you at key moments, so we need that from him.”
Hart Memorial Trophy candidate Taylor Hall’s five points against the Rangers Tuesday gives him 36 since Jan. 1.
1 Devils need a win
Plenty at stake for the home team. Jersey will need a point to ensure it can at least finish ahead of the Florida Panthers and can close in on Columbus and Pittsburgh for better seeding. The Leafs can use a tune-up against a motivated Devils lineup.
2 Kinkaid breaks out
In three years of relief work for the Devils, netminder Keith Kinkaid had 23 wins. This year, he’s at 25 and counting and is a big part of their push.
3 Matthews powering up
Jersey would be wise to avoid the penalty box as both Toronto powerplay units are hot as of late, particularly Auston Matthews’ group. He has even-strength and special teams points in all seven games since he came back from a shoulder injury.
4 Standout rookie D-man
Will Butcher had a couple of goals Tuesday to add to his Devils team record for points by a rookie defenceman, now at 44.
5 Toronto strikes fast
Toronto’s 89 opening-period goals rank second in the league, 20 ahead of the Devils, who rely far more on defence for wins.