It’s time to head to Tampa – a city full of rave hockey fans – after two games in Toronto with Game 3 on the horizon Saturday night.
The Maple Leafs elected to give their players an optional morning skate before their third game of the series against the Lightning.
Among the players who have taken the ice for Toronto are: John Tavares and Ryan O’Reillywho had a great game with the Maple Leafs on Thursday night inside the Scotiabank Arena.
When it comes to lineup decisions, Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe has opted to keep it simple, leaving everyone wondering what we might see from Toronto on Saturday.
“Maybe,” Sheldon asked how if there would be any lineup changes tonight. @tweet @tweet
– David Alter (@dalter) April 22, 2023
One interesting anecdote, namely Courtesy of Luke Fox from Sportsnetis that Timothy Liljegren didn’t stay out to do overtime after the Maple Leafs’ morning ski.
With Keefe choosing not to show his hand, it may be possible to see the 23-year-old play in his first game of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs tonight.
Ilya Samsonov is slated to be Toronto’s starter in Game 3 after stopping 20 of 22 shots Thursday night. It was a great game from the 26-year-old and he will hope to follow it up with another big performance in front of the Tampa Bay crowd.
When it comes to the Lightning’s morning skate, there have been a few notable names who have taken to the ice after missing Thursday’s game. These players, in particular, could be in Tampa’s lineup on Saturday night.
John Cooper says Victor Hedman is a game-time decision. He’ll take a warm-up.
– Luke Fox (@lukefoxjukebox) April 22, 2023
Victor Hedmann skated in a regular players jersey after missing Game 2 and is scheduled to be a game-time decision again before Game 3. said Lightning coach John Cooper After a morning ski Tampa.
The 32-year-old defenseman took the rushing line with Nick Berbix, According to TSN’s Chris Johnstonwhich means that his return may be more likely than not.
Mickey Easemont once again participates in his morning skates in a plain colored jersey.
– Chris Kren (@Chris_Krenn) April 22, 2023
Another notable name that skated Saturday mornings was Mickey Easemont. He missed Thursday’s game due to an undisclosed injury after taking a heavy hit from Jake McCabe in Game 1.
It should be noted that the 26-year-old skated before game two in Toronto but didn’t end up playing. So, it’s always possible that it could happen again, although it could be in Lightning’s Game 3 lineup.
Still no Eric Cernak for morning skiing. Andrei Vasilevskiy isn’t here either, but he’s sat out skiing in the morning on multiple occasions this season on nights he starts.
– Chris Kren (@Chris_Krenn) April 22, 2023
Eric Cernak — one of Tampa’s most important defensemen — didn’t skate Saturday morning. He is expected to miss his second consecutive match after receiving an elbow to the head from Michael Ponting, which cost him three matches.
Andrei Vasilevskiy did not participate in the morning skate even though that was normal throughout the regular season, as reported by Lightning writer Chris Crane.
As the series goes on, each game becomes more important, and if Toronto can pick up a win Saturday night in Tampa, their future could be brighter than dim. If Tampa wins, they may have a chance to dominate this series in their own building on Monday night.
Game 3 between the Maple Leafs and Lightning inside Amalie Arena is set for 7 p.m. with a puck drop two minutes later.