The Leafs have nine games left before the trade deadline, and this morning they are more comfortably sitting in 3rd place in the Atlantic thanks to a Panthers loss to the Flyers. If it wasn’t already painfully clear, it seems the best path to the playoffs runs through the Atlantic Division 3rd place spot, rather than either of the wildcard spots.
The Coyotes are an ideal opponent for the Leafs tonight. The Habs played a tight game against them last night before Arizona ultimately sealed the deal in the final couple of minutes, avoiding overtime. The Coyotes find themselves in the same position the Leafs were on the weekend where they need to decide if the going with the same goaltender on both nights of a back to back is in their best interest.
Lineups

LW
C
RW
Forwards
ANDREAS JOHNSSON
Rating: 73.5#42 LW

AUSTON MATTHEWS
Rating: 83.7#2 C

MITCH MARNER
Rating: 79.1#6 RW

FL1 Rating
Rating: 78.79#4 FL1

ZACH HYMAN
Rating: 73.8#55 LW

JOHN TAVARES
Rating: 79.3#13 C

ALEXANDER KERFOOT
Rating: 71.3#124 RW

FL2 Rating
Rating: 74.83#10 FL2

KYLE CLIFFORD
Rating: 70.4#106 LW

JASON SPEZZA
Rating: 71.5#120 C

KASPERI KAPANEN
Rating: 71.9#70 RW

FL3 Rating
Rating: 71.27#20 FL3

PIERRE ENGVALL
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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation