Dubas makes his return to Toronto for the first time since serving as GM of the club for five seasons.
The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second time this season, but Saturday marks Kyle Dubas' return to Scotiabank Arena for the first time since he served as general manager of the club for five seasons.
Following the end of Toronto's 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan elected not to renew Dubas' contract. Brad Treliving was named his successor a couple of weeks later, while Dubas became the president and general manager of the Penguins.
The Maple Leafs are coming off a dramatic 6-5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. Toronto erased a 5-0 deficit in the third period to salvage a point in the standings.
After initially being scheduled to hold a practice on Friday, the team took the day off with word going around that the flu bug had been going through the team.
Toronto called up Pontus Holmberg from the Marlies on Saturday morning with Ryan Reaves out of the lineup. Reaves left Thursday's game with a lower-body injury and Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said after the game that the forward will be out "for a while."
T.J. Brodie was missing from Toronto's morning skate on Saturday. Filling in for him during the practice was Timothy Liljegren as he makes his way back from a high-ankle sprain suffered against Boston on Nov. 02.
Liljegren, who hasn't had a full practice with the team yet, said on Saturday morning that he's ready to go. He'll come off long-term injured reserve ahead of Dubas' return with the Penguins.
Martin Jones was the first goaltender off the ice on Saturday morning, meaning he's the projected starter vs. the Penguins. Ilya Samsonov will back up the veteran goaltender.
Where to watch
For those watching in Canada, the game will be broadcasted nationally on Sportsnet and CBC. In the Pittsburgh area, SportsNet Pittsburgh will have the game and for the rest of the United States, the game can be streamed on ESPN+ and Fubo Sports US.
The rest of the world can catch the game on NHL Live.
Puck drop is scheduled for shortly after 7:00 p.m. ET.
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