The Maple Leafs were aiming to get back on the winning track Monday against the visiting Edmonton Oilers – and the first NHL game for rookie Leafs goaltender Garret Sparks was providing an extra spark for the players in Toronto’s room.
“I know all the boys are fired up for him,” Leafs winger Shawn Matthias said of Sparks, who’ll be in net when the Leafs take on the Oilers at Air Canada Centre. “Whenever a guy’s playing his first NHL game – forward, defense, goalie, it doesn’t matter – you’re always happy for him, you’re always excited.