That said, the Leafs are going to get the opportunity to bring Jake Gardiner back into the lineup tonight after about five weeks on the shelf with a back injury. Andreas Johnsson will also return, while sitting out will be Nazem Kadri — maintenance day — and Jake Muzzin, who continues to battle an illness.
Expect the coaching staff to carefully manage Gardiner’s minutes, but the fact that he’s getting some game reps in prior to the regular season is a positive sign for the Leafs, who — barring a setback — should be able to ice their full complement on the blue line (a rarity since the Jake Muzzin addition) for the start of the Bruins series.