Maple Leafs Renew Playoffs Rivalry With Lightning in Tampa, Lineups Notes, Where to Watch
The Leafs will make a slight lineup adjustment as they take a familiar divisional opponent.
TAMPA — The Toronto Maple Leafs look to avoid extending their losing streak to three games as they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Saturday.
The Maple Leafs defeated the Lightning in the opening round of the 2023 NHL playoffs to win a series for the first time in 19 years. It was also the second consecutive year both teams squared off in the playoffs, creating a natural playoff rivalry,
The Leafs were down 4-1 in Game 4 of their 2023 series when they stormed back to win the game in overtime.
"For us, at home, to do that — and good on Toronto for coming back the way they did — that left a bitter taste in my mouth how that happened," Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told reporters on Friday..
The loss gave Tampa a longer summer than they were used to, having gone to the Stanley Cup Final in three consecutive seasons from 2020-2022.
"It was a long summer," Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev told TSN. "It's probably what they (the Leafs) feel every year."
Lineups
The Maple Leafs returned Tyler Bertuzzi to the top line after shifting him down in the second and third. period in their 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
Toronto called up Pontus Holmberg and it is expected he will replace Fraser Minten as the fourth-line center.
Nothing out of the ordinary in terms of a lineup for Tampa outside of their goaltending. Andrei Vasilevskiy is out until at least December with a back injury.
Jonas Johansson will start in goal for Tampa.
Where to watch
In Canada, the game will be broadcast nationwide on CBC and Sportsnet. In Tampa's region, the game will be broadcast locally on Bally Sports. Across the rest of the United States, the game will be on ESPN+. Worldwide, the game is available on NHL Live.
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