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The season is not on the line as it was when the Toronto Maple Leafs last visited the TD Garden over six months ago, but coming off a pair of poor performances in losses to Columbus and St. Louis, this version of the Leafs have to show that they possess something different than clubs of the past when they take on the archrival Boston Bruins.

After an excellent performance against Tampa Bay, the Leafs have been careless defensively, turning over the puck in the worst possible areas, and hung their goaltenders out to dry in the losses to the Blues and Blue Jackets. There understandably should be a bit more of an emotional investment from the Leafs against their Atlantic Division rival, who have struggled out of the gate at 3-4-1.
Following his season debut on Thursday, Joseph Woll will serve as the backup for starter Anthony Stolarz. Head coach Craig Berube will make a few lineup changes, as Pontus Holmberg is expected to sit in favor of veteran Max Pacioretty, who missed the Blues game with a lower-body injury. Berube will continue the bottom-pairing blueline rotation, giving big Philippe Myers his first start as a Leaf alongside Simon Benoit.

Forward Connor Dewar and defenseman Jani Hakanpaa made the trip to Boston, and skated with the extras, in spite of both being on LTIR. This is a sign that both are close to being ready to be activated, something that GM Brad Treliving will have to deal with to stay under the salary cap. The pair’s salary totals $2.65 million and it could mean players like Ryan Reaves and Conor Timmins are placed on waivers to make room.


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