Ahead of the contest, the Toronto Maple Leafs were decimated with the flu bug that is ripping through their dressing room and were forced to play without Auston Matthews, among many other changes to their regular lineup. Good news though, as Timothy Liljegren was back in the line-up for the first time since Brad Marchand pitched forked him into the boards on November 2 that left him out with a high ankle sprain. Liljegren is the only player skilled enough to support Morgan Rielly as a legitimate top four defenseman on the team.
Martin Jones got his second start of the season, and posted his first shutout, after beating the New York Rangers earlier in the week. Jones has played in just two total games this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but has proven to be one of the few good signings by GM Brad Treliving this season as he has provided great insurance for the team. Pontus Holmberg was recalled from the Toronto Marlies due to the injury to Ryan Reaves.
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