Taking on the rested Devils in their home opener, a tired Maple Leafs team will also inject Bobby McMann’s fresh legs into the fourth line in place of Ryan Reaves. Despite two extra bodies on the blue line, it appears they will proceed with the same group of six D from the 1-0 loss in Montreal.
The defense had a reasonably strong game as a unit at both ends of the ice in the opener, but it’s notable that Timothy Liljegren, a regular for the past two seasons currently making $3 million, appears to be in line for a healthy scratch in both the opening-night lineup and a back-to-back/tired situation as trade speculation swirls.