Toronto Maple Leafs News

The Maple Leafs hope to push for playoff contention with a strong post-Olympics run and will turn to Stolarz to tend the twine in their first game back from the break. The 32-year-old Stolarz has had a miserable 2025-26 season, plagued with injuries, but headed into the Olympic break on a high note, saving 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) for his best performance of the season, a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers. That said, the Maple Leafs enter Wednesday's action as sizeable +192 road underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that leads the Eastern Conference and is riding a five-game winning streak.

Cowan did not play the final few games for Toronto heading into the Olympic break, and he will remain sidelined when the team returns to action on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 20-year-old rookie is averaging 13:31 time-on-ice and has 17 points (7G / 10A) in 43 games.

Joshua has been sidelined since late December due to a kidney laceration and is nearing a return, but will remain sidelined in Toronto's first game after the Olympic break on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 29-year-old is in his first season with the Maple Leafs, recording 10 points (6G / 4A) and 127 hits in 36 games this season.

Tavares was absent from practice on Tuesday due to an illness, but he will be available when the Maple Leafs return to action from the Olympic break on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 35-year-old Tavares is having a productive season in Toronto with 47 points (20G / 27A) in 57 games, but has seen his pace dip in recent weeks, with only seven points (4G / 3A) in his last 13 games.

Matthews scored seven points (3G / 4A) in six games as the captain of Team USA during their Gold Medal performance at the Olympics. The 28-year-old forward is expected to rejoin the Maple Leafs when they return to action on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before the Olympic break, Matthews had six points (1G / 5A) in his last five games with the Maple Leafs. The team hopes he can return to that form as they continue their fight for a playoff spot.

The Maple Leafs hope to push for playoff contention with a strong post-Olympics run and will turn to Stolarz to tend the twine in their first game back from the break. The 32-year-old Stolarz has had a miserable 2025-26 season, plagued with injuries, but headed into the Olympic break on a high note, saving 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) for his best performance of the season, a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers. That said, the Maple Leafs enter Wednesday's action as sizeable +192 road underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that leads the Eastern Conference and is riding a five-game winning streak.

Sissons missed three weeks leading up to the Olympic break due to an undisclosed injury, but will be ready to play in Vegas' return to action on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 32-year-old Sissons has six points (3G / 3A) and 61 hits in 41 games this season.

Rielly missed Toronto's final two games before the Olympic break, but will be ready to play when the team returns to action on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 31-year-old defenseman has 31 points (7G / 24A) and a -17 plus/minus in 54 games this season.

Paul missed Tampa Bay's final two games before the Olympic Break due to a lower-body injury and remains out week-to-week after being reevaluated. This marks Paul's second extended stint on the sidelines this season. He has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 34 games.

Matthews scored seven points (3G / 4A) in six games as the captain of Team USA during their Gold Medal performance at the Olympics. The 28-year-old forward is expected to rejoin the Maple Leafs when they return to action on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before the Olympic break, Matthews had six points (1G / 5A) in his last five games with the Maple Leafs. The team hopes he can return to that form as they continue their fight for a playoff spot.

Tavares was absent from practice on Tuesday, and it is unclear if he will be available when the Maple Leafs return to action from the Olympic break on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 35-year-old Tavares is having a productive season in Toronto with 47 points (20G / 27A) in 57 games, but has seen his pace dip in recent weeks, with only seven points (4G / 3A) in his last 13 games.

Marchenko has been sidelined since January 31st due to a lower-body injury but he skated on his own on Wednesday and is expected to rejoin Columbus for a full practice on Saturday. The 25-year-old has been one of the Blue Jackets' best forwards yet again this season, with 19 goals, 46 points and 152 SOG in 50 games played in 2025-26.

Hlavaj was the star of Day 1 of the tournament, standing on his head, stopping 39 of 40 shots to steal a 4-1 win over Finland. He was given yesterday off, but he'll return to the crease Saturday vs. Sweden. He'll have his hands full again, as Sweden rank second in the tournament in xG/gm (5.52) so far.

Merzlikins had a tough start to the season, but has settled in since the Blue Jackets made a coaching change. Overall, he's 11-8-1 with a 3.49 GAA and .888 SV% in 21 games. The last time he suited up for Latvia, he struggled, going 2-2-0 with a 4.80 GAA and .826 SV% at the 2024 World Championships.

Hlavaj has spent most of the 2025–26 season with Iowa (AHL), where he’s gone 5-9-4 with a 3.33 GAA and .884 SV% in 18 games. He started all three of Slovakia’s Olympic qualifying games, posting a 3-0-0 record with a 1.67 GAA and .929 SV%, and was also solid at last year’s World Championships (2-3-0, 1.99 GAA, .912 SV%). He’ll have his work cut out for him on Wednesday, though, as Slovakia enter the matchup as +320 underdogs.