Ice Chips: Matthews and Nylander Lead Top Line at Leafs' Practice
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Captain Auston Matthews and star winger William Nylander skated together on the top line during Monday's practice as the struggling Maple Leafs prepared for their upcoming match against the visiting Philadelphia Flyers. Anthony Stolarz is projected to start in goal.
Forwards Nick Robertson and Troy Stecher will not be in the lineup for the game against the Flyers. Head coach Craig Berube explained his decision, stating, 'I have to make decisions on the lineup. I felt Nicky's game has dropped off, even before the break. He's getting a reset today, and the same goes for Stecher.'
The Maple Leafs have suffered three consecutive losses since returning from the Olympic break, with a 14-5 goal differential.
As the March 6 trade deadline approaches, the Maple Leafs hold a 27-24-9 record after 60 games, eight points behind the Boston Bruins for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Matthews, 28, has accumulated 26 goals and 25 assists in 54 games this season, marking his 10th year with the Maple Leafs.
Nylander, 29, has contributed 19 goals and 36 assists in 43 games, continuing his 11th season in Toronto.
Projected Lines vs. Flyers
F
McMann - Matthews - Nylander
Knies - Tavares - Domi
Maccelli - Roy - Joshua
Lorentz - Laughton - Cowan
Robertson, Jarnkrok
D
Rielly - Carlo
Benoit - McCabe
Ekman-Larsson - Myers
Stecher
G
Stolarz
Woll
Philadelphia Flyers
Dan Vladar is expected to start in goal for the Flyers against the Maple Leafs on Monday. Coach Rick Tocchet's lineup news includes Vladar in goal and Travis Konecny as a game-time decision.
The 28-year-old Vladar has a 2.42 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage in 35 games this season, with an 18-9-6 record.
Forward Travis Konecny, with 23 goals and 34 assists in 58 games, will be a late decision.
Winnipeg Jets
Injured star defenseman Josh Morrissey was seen skating before the team's optional practice but did not join the rest of the team. The 30-year-old Morrissey suffered an injury during the recent Olympics in Milan, Italy.
Morrissey has 10 goals and 32 assists in 56 games with the Jets this season.
The Jets, who won the NHL's Presidents' Trophy last year, have struggled this season with a 23-26-10 record, nine points away from the Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
New Jersey Devils
The Devils signed forward Matyas Melovsky to a two-year, entry-level contract. The 21-year-old, a native of the Czech Republic, has 13 points in 35 games in the AHL this season.
