Toronto Maple Leafs News

Groulx will be the odd-man out on Thursday as Ross Johnston draws back in. Groulx is yet to register a goal in 27 games this season.

Myers has appeared in one game for the Lightning since January 6th and has been reassigned to Syracuse (AHL) Wednesday. The 26-year-old towering defencemen has yet to pick up a point this season through five games, and has six SOG, two PIMs and a -2 plus/minus.

The Panthers snapped a four-game losing streak on Monday with Anthony Stolarz between the pipes but will return to Bobrovsky on Wednesday evening. Bobrovsky's 2.55 GAA is his best since the 2017-18 campaign with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the veteran netminder has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in three straight (0-1-1), posting an ugly .846 SV%. The Panthers are sizeable -206 home favourites against an Arizona Coyotes club riding a two-game winning streak.

The Panthers snapped a four-game losing streak on Monday with Anthony Stolarz between the pipes but will likely return to Bobrovsky on Wednesday evening. Bobrovsky's 2.55 GAA is his best since the 2017-18 campaign with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the veteran netminder has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in three straight (0-1-1), posting an ugly .846 SV%. The Panthers are sizeable -206 home favourites against an Arizona Coyotes club riding a two-game winning streak.

Brisson will take a seat on Tuesday as Sheldon Rempal draws into the lineup. Brisson has one goal and no assists in four games this season.

Myers will re-enter the lineup for Tuesday's game as the Lightning are opting to dress seven defensemen. Myers is yet to register a point in four games this season.

After serving as the backup for six straight games, Merzlikins will start for the third straight time on Tuesday evening. Merzlikins allowed four goals on 32 shots (.875 SV%) in his last outing, a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, his first regulation loss since the beginning of December. Before that, Merzlikins was sporting a respectable .905 SV% in his last seven appearances (3-0-3). That said, Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets are overwhelming +298 road underdogs against a scorching Edmonton Oilers club searching for their 14th straight victory.

Stolarz entered Friday's contest in relief of Sergei Bobrovsky, saving nine of 10 shots (.900 SV%) in an eventual 6-4 loss to the Minnesota Wild, and will return to the crease on Monday night. Stolarz allowed five goals in his last start, a disappointing 5-4 loss to his former club, the Anaheim Ducks, but has otherwise been solid when called upon this season, posting a 2.22 GAA and .912 SV% in 13 games (6-4-2). The Panthers, losers of four straight, are -126 road favourites against a Nashville Predators team that has won three of their last five (3-2-0).

Stecher has been a regular in the lineup for the Coyotes this season but will be out of Arizona's lineup on Monday due to a lower-body, allowing Juuso Valimaki to draw into the lineup. Stecher has been held off the scoresheet in 12 of his last 13 games and is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks.

Blankenburg has been out since December 19th but will return to the ice in the AHL. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jackets recalled David Jiriceck from Cleveland.

The Panthers have lost three straight after seeing their nine-game winning streak end last week and will turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes on Thursday to get back into the win column. Bobrovsky has allowed three or more goals in three of his last four games (2-2-0), posting a subpar .890 SV% in the process. The Panthers will be facing a Minnesota Wild club that has been shut out in two of their last five games (1-3-1) but is coming off an impressive 5-0 victory over the New York Islanders.

After not playing for six straight games, a strong outing in the Blue Jackets last contest on Tuesday has prompted them to turn to Merzlikins again on Friday. The Latvian netminder saved 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%) in a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, his first win since December 14th. Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets are +134 home underdogs against a struggling and injury-depleted New Jersey Devils squad that has lost two straight, being outscored 6-2.

After seeing a season-best nine-game winning streak end last week, the Panthers have lost two straight and will hope to return to the win column on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Despite being outscored 9-5 in their last two games (0-1-1), the Panthers are sizeable -205 home favourites against a Red Wings club that has won two straight but will be without offensive threat Patrick Kane. Bobrovsky, who has allowed three or fewer goals in seven of his last eight games (7-1-0) while posting a respectable .917 SV%, will likely tend the twine for the Panthers.

After seeing a season-best nine-game winning streak end last week, the Panthers have lost two straight and will hope to return to the win column on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Despite being outscored 9-5 in their last two games (0-1-1), the Panthers are sizeable -205 home favourites against a Red Wings club that has won two straight but will be without offensive threat Patrick Kane. Bobrovsky, who has allowed three or fewer goals in seven of his last eight games (7-1-0) while posting a respectable .917 SV%, will likely tend the twine for the Panthers.

Wood will make his first appearance since January 4th after missing Colorado's last five games as he battled the flu. Wood was very effective in a top-six role in his last outing, scoring one point (0G / 1A) and firing three shots on goal in 15:31 time-on-ice.

Groulx will re-enter the lineup in place of Brock McGinn, who is a healthy scratch on Tuesday. Groulx has no goals and one assist in 24 games this season.

Myers was recalled along with fellow defender Maxwell Crozier on Tuesday, but with Tampa Bay off until Thursday, it is unclear how or if they will decide to utilize them in their lineup. Crozier made his NHL debut in the last Lightning game, playing 13:00 time-on-ice. The 26-year-old Myers has played four games with the Lightning this season, registering six shots, seven hits, and five blocks while averaging 13:08 time-on-ice.

This very well could just be a paper transaction as the Lightning are off until Thursday. We'll get a better sense of how they'll lineup for that game against the Wild when they return to practice on Tuesday.