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CBJ G6 v Toronto Maple Leafs — Frozen Frenzy |
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The Columbus Blue Jackets conclude their homecoming series of games with the first matchup of three against the exhausted Toronto Maple Leafs. This game joins the rest of the league as all 32 teams are participating in the ESPN Frozen Frenzy in the United States, where all games will be presented similar to that of the NFL Redzone, where all teams will have the chance to be viewed and watchable on the ESPN family broadcasting stations.
The Maple Leafs once again suffered seasonal depression after a Game 7 first round playoff series loss to the Boston Bruins in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs. As a result, general manager Brad Treliving made quite the changes to bolster his roster and bench.
Out
Sheldon Keefe was dismissed. The winningest head coach in Toronto Maple Leafs’ franchise history and the first coach to get the Leafs to the second round since 2004, was fired after a first round series loss to Boston. Keefe is now the head coach of the New Jersey Devils.
Defenseman Joel Edmundsson signed with the Los Angeles Kings in a reunion with Phillip Danault and Marc Bergevin.
Forward Tyler Bertuzzi became Connor Bedard’s protector with Chicago. Defender TJ Brodie also got paid to join the Hawks.
Forward Noah Gregor crossed the provincial rival and signed with Ottawa.
Defender Max Lajoie signed with Seattle.
Forward Dylan Gambrell signed with Columbus.
Defender Ilya Lybushkin signed with Dallas.
Goalie Ilya Samsonov joined Vegas.
Defender Jacob Muzzin retired.
In
Craig Berube is the new head coach in Toronto. The former Flyers’ head coach won the Stanley Cup as coach of the St. Louis Blues in 2019 during the “Gloria” run against Boston.
Defenseman Christopher Tanev was acquired in a sign and trade from the Dallas Stars. Also from Dallas was defender Janni Hakanpaa via free agency.
Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson; goaltender Anthony Stolarz; and winger Stephen Lorentz all signed as free agents after winning the 2024 Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers.
Veteran winger Max Pacioretty signed as a free agent after joining the club on a PTO.
Defenders Phillipe Myers and Dakota Mermis signed as top pair for the AHL Toronto Marlies.
Preview
Toronto is an older team now and has the experience hoping to get the rich core four deeper into the postseason.
The Leafs come into tonight on the second half of a back to back with travel, dominating Tampa Bay on home ice last night.
Jospeh Woll is expected to make his season debut for the Leafs in the crease against the Jackets. He was supposed to be the full time starter after signing an offseason extension that will take effect in 2025-26.
Toronto is a stacked and pissed off team looking to make a deep run in the playoffs. Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment believes they are close with this current roster. Experience and depth in all three positions. Winning pedigree on the bench and the ice. A cup winner as President.
Columbus is expected to have Elvis on the bench as Jet Greaves has been sent back to a Cleveland. Jack Johnson is in for Jordan Harris. Cole Sillinger is now the top line winger. Chinny has slid to the scone line. Danforth is now the 3C after being the 2W.
Keys to Victory
1. Spotlight - Toronto is here. The best players need to shine through while the media frenzy is here. ESPN will also be broadcasting all games.
2. Play through the Adversity — Columbus is battling the injuries, but so does everyone. Get the points while it is still early.
3. Fatigue — the Leafs just played 24 hours ago from game time. Push on the gas pedal.
Projected Lineups
Toronto Maple Leafs
Matthew Knies—Auston Matthews—Mitch Marner
Bobby McMann—Max Domi—William Nylander
Max Pacioretty—John Tavares—Nicolas Robertson
Stephen Lorentz—David Kampf—Pontus Homberg
Morgan Reilly—Christoper Tanev
Oliver Ekman-Larsson—Jake McCabe
Simon Benoit—Connor Timmins
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz
Scratched: Ryan Reaves, Phillipe Myers, Timothy Liljegren
Injured: Janni Hakanpaa, Connor Dewar
Columbus Blue Jackets
Cole Sillinger—Sean Monahan—Kirill Marchenko
Yegor Chinakov—Adam Fantilli—Mikkael Pyyhita
Zach Aston-Reese—Justin Danforth—Mathieu Olivier
James van Riemsdyk—Sean Kuraly—Kevin Labanc
Zach Werenski—Ivan Provorov
Jake Christiansen—Damon Severson
Jack Johnson—David Jiricek
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov
Scratched — Jordan Harris
Injured — Boone Jenner, Gavin Brindley, Jordan Dumais, Dmitry Voronkov, Erik Gudbranson, Kent Johnson,
Players to Watch
Toronto — Auston Matthews — on track to be the greatest American born goal scorer of all time, he tied Alex Ovechkin’s pace while being 2 years younger.
Columbus — Yegor Chinakov — the young Russian forward is on a five game point streak, including 7 points.
Predicted Final Score
CBJ : 3
TOR : 4
OT/SO
More is coming…
Obituaries
https://www.danjolell.com/obituary/john-michael-gaudreau/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYM9fikwQbNkPlcwmTBaP2udJZw1oMBCmyXjp-GyttBpDhIoWnqY8lxQSQ_aem_zW3gpaArqsSO7D5ZI-Pdog
https://www.danjolell.com/obituary/matthew-ryan-gaudreau/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZ33XNOJYMaSDfXxs3NcH7AY99EWfo9ObneKgMrpds4HwrC3U6Gkj0igr0_aem_qqWUcGWcBFf0sebC0an4RQ
Want to support the Gaudreau family? Here’s several ways how:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-madeline-and-baby-tripp-after-tragedy - Donate to Gaudreau Family Fund. At the time of writing it is at $691K
https://youtu.be/7ax8zyd8nk0?si=xoI63iohdyn2vVvD - View Johnny B Goode Tribute - personal touch. Loved this slowed down clip by the voice of Calgary. Skip to the 25 second mark.
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/giving - Nationwide Children's Hospital (Johnny's widow, Meredith's workplace) support the children today.
https://foundation.ohiohealth.com/ - Ohio Health Foundation (where donations from a joint mental health charity drive from Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine went) Johnny joined the mission after Laine attended the NHLPA assistance club last season
https://www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/ways-to-help/donate/ - Alberta Children's Hospital for those in need and touched by the loss
https://kidsportcanada.ca/donate/ - Donate to the Youth Sporting Charity in Canada (Johnny Gaudreau donated for money each goal he scored to the Calgary chapter)
https://sniderhockey.org/support-snider/ - the Philadelphia Youth Hockey Charity (where Johnny and Matthew are from and started their youth hockey)
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