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Toronto Maple Leafs News

Matthews (upper-body) has stated he will return on Saturday vs. Tampa Bay.

Matthews has missed nine straight games due to an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup on Saturday after being a full participant in consecutive practices. Before his injury, Matthews was off to a slower-than-usual start to the 2024-25 campaign but had six points (2G / 4A) in his last five games.

Auston Matthews
Matthews (upper-body) practiced in full on Friday.

Matthews has missed nine straight games due to an upper-body injury but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup after being a full participant in consecutive practices. His next chance to return to the lineup will be on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before his injury, Matthews was off to a slower-than-usual start to the 2024-25 campaign but had six points (2G / 4A) in his last five games.

Auston Matthews
Bobrovsky will start in Carolina on Friday.

Bobrovsky saved 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in his previous outing, helping the Panthers snap a four-game losing skid in a dominating 5-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has a 3.05 GAA and .889 SV% through 16 games this season (10-5-1), stats well below his career averages. The Panthers enter the action on Friday afternoon as +139 road underdogs against a Hurricanes club that has scored 14 goals in their previous three games (2-0-1).

Sergei Bobrovsky
Merzlikins will start vs. Calgary on Friday.

The Blue Jackets will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes for a fifth straight game. Despite allowing four or more goals in three of his last four, Merzlikins has salvaged a 3-1-0 record. The 30-year-old Latvian netminder has a 3.15 GAA and .890 SV% in 13 games this season (6-5-2). The Blue Jackets enter the action on Friday as slight -108 home favorites against a Calgary Flames club riding a two-game losing skid.

Elvis Merzlikins
Matthews (upper-body) will remain out on Wednesday in Florida.

Matthews will miss a ninth straight game due to an upper-body injury but appears to be nearing a return after being a full participant at practice on Tuesday. His next chance to return to the lineup will be on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before his injury, Matthews was off to a slower-than-usual start to the 2024-25 campaign but had six points (2G / 4A) in his last five games.

Auston Matthews
Stolarz will start in Florida on Wednesday.

The Maple Leafs have received stellar goaltending from Stolarz and Joseph Woll lately and will turn to Stolarz on Wednesday against his former team, the Florida Panthers. The 30-year-old Stolarz is sporting an excellent 2.18 GAA and .927 SV% in 12 games this season (7-3-2). The Maple Leafs, riding a four-game winning streak, enter Wednesday's contest as +129 road underdogs against a Panthers club trending in the opposite direction, riding a four-game losing skid.

Anthony Stolarz
Blankenburg is expected to make his Predators' debut vs. Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Blankenburg is an undrafted 26-year-old product of the University of Michigan. The defenseman played 12 games with the Blue Jackets last season but has exclusively been an AHL player in 2024-25, scoring eight points (3G / 5A) in 13 games with the Milwaukee Admirals.

Nick Blankenburg
Stolarz is in the starter's crease at Toronto's morning skate on Wednesday.

The Maple Leafs have received stellar goaltending from Stolarz and Joseph Woll lately and will turn to Stolarz on Wednesday against his former team, the Florida Panthers. The 30-year-old Stolarz is sporting an excellent 2.18 GAA and .927 SV% in 12 games this season (7-3-2). The Maple Leafs, riding a four-game winning streak, enter Wednesday's contest as +129 road underdogs against a Panthers club trending in the opposite direction, riding a four-game losing skid.

Anthony Stolarz
Bobrovsky will start vs. Toronto on Wednesday.

The Panthers, amid a season-worst four-game losing skid, outscored 20-9, will turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has been unspectacular this season, posting a 3.18 GAA and .885 SV% in 15 games (9-5-1), and has allowed four or more goals in three of his last four (1-3-0). That said, the Panthers enter Wednesday's contest as -133 home favorites against a Maple Leafs club riding a four-game winning streak.

Sergei Bobrovsky
Merzlikins will start vs. Montreal on Wednesday.

The Blue Jackets have been a part of some rollercoaster outings lately, most recently a 5-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, and are riding a three-game winning streak. Despite an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, Merzlikins has been serviceable between the pipes, including posting a .890 SV% during a four-game winning streak. The Blue Jackets enter Wednesday's contest as -167 home favorites against a Montreal Canadiens club that was defeated 3-2 in overtime last night by the Utah Hockey Club.

Elvis Merzlikins
Mermis has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL) on a LTIR conditioning loan.

Mermis signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Maple Leafs in the offseason but has not played yet in the 2024-25 season due to an upper-body injury. The 30-year-old underwent successful jaw surgery at the end of September. In 47 games with Minnesota in 2023-24, he had three goals, eight points and 33 PIMs.

Dakota Mermis
Bobrovsky is expected to start vs. Toronto on Wednesday.

The Panthers, amid a season-worst four-game losing skid, outscored 20-9, will likely turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has been unspectacular this season, posting a 3.18 GAA and .885 SV% in 15 games (9-5-1), and has allowed four or more goals in three of his last four (1-3-0). That said, the Panthers enter Wednesday's contest as -133 home favorites against a Maple Leafs club riding a four-game winning streak.

Sergei Bobrovsky
Matthews (upper-body) practiced in full on Tuesday and is a maybe to return in Florida on Wednesday.

Matthews has missed eight games due to an upper-body injury but appears to be nearing a return after being a full participant at practice on Tuesday. The Maple Leafs return to action on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. Before his injury, Matthews was off to a slower-than-usual start to the 2024-25 campaign but had six points (2G / 4A) in his last five games.

Auston Matthews
Paul (undisclosed) is expected to remain out for a week before being re-evaluated.

Paul exited Tampa's game on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets after playing 10:38 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old Paul, averaging 16:24 time-on-ice, is pacing for a career-best season, with 13 points (5G / 8A) in 17 games.

Nick Paul