Why the Maple Leafs are Playing an Afternoon Game as they Prepare for Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks, Where to Watch
The Toronto Maple Leafs (10-5-2) got a taste of rookie star Connor Bedard when the Chicago Blackhawks (5-1-2) came to town in October. On Friday, the Leafs and Blackhawks will meet for the final time in this regular season when they square off at United Center for a holiday matinee game.
Bedard was held off the scoresheet in the first meeting between the clubs, but the player has been able to live up to expectations thus far with 10 goals and six assists in 17 games.
"He's found himself on a bit of heater right now," Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews said of Bedard. "Sometimes it takes a bit of an adjustment in the league, but he's a special player and will be able to figure that out."
Calle Jarnkrok a game-time decision
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward took a shot off the leg from Matthews at practice on Wednesday and did not skate on Thursday. The Maple Leafs practiced with Reaves back on the fourth line. Noah Gregor moved up to the third line in Jarnkrok's place. However, the Maple Leafs did call up Alex Steeves after defenseman John Klingberg was placed on long-term injured reserve.
It's possible that Steeves makes his debut over Reaves' re-insertion into the lineup. Signed to a three-year, $4.05 million contract this summer, the forward has been a healthy scratch for the club's last three games.
Conor Timmins likely to make season debut
Timmins had enjoyed a productive pre-season with the Maple Leafs before the defenseman sustained a lower-body injury. The player has ramped up and has appeared to be healthy enough to play but roster issues persisted in activating his $1.1 million salary-cap hit from long-term injured reserve (LTIR). That's no longer a problem with Klingberg on LTIR and the defenseman should help with Toronto's defensive alignment. He'll likely quarterback the team's second power play and is the only right-shot defenseman in Toronto's lineup at the moment.
Taylor Hall shut down for the season
The skilled forward has two goals and two assists in 10 games this season but found himself scratched due to injury to start the season. Now comes word that he will be shutdown for the rest of the season due to knee surgery.
Corey Perry's unexplained absence
Traditionally a Maple Leafs' killer, Perry was a healthy scratch in the team's 7-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets due to an "organizational decision". On Thursday the forward was absent from practice and the team decided not give a reason for his failed attendance.
"We haven't gotten any details," teammate Nick Foligno said of Perry.
Perry is third in team scoring with nine points (four goals, five assists) in 16 games. The forward signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the club this summer.
Where to watch, afternoon start time
Due to the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, the Maple Leafs are set to play at 2 p.m. ET in Chicago. For viewers in the Maple Leafs' region, the game will be broadcast and streamed on TSN4. For the rest of Canada, the game is available to stream on Sportsnet+.
In the Chicago region the game will be broadcast and streamed on NBC Sports Chicago. For the rest of the United States, the game will stream on ESPN+.
For the rest of the world, the game will stream on NHL Live
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