The Leafs are in action tonight after a weekend of tragedy. After an inspiring performance on Saturday night against Ottawa, the blue & white now try to turn their attention to the San Jose Sharks, who visit the ACC tonight. On Friday night, the Leafs and the rest of us were all given the very unfortunate news of Brendan Burke's passing. No words can really describe what it's like to lose a family member and this is a true tragedy. Brian Burke is a classy, stand-up guy who is a role model for anyone who watches the game and follows the managerial side of hockey. For him to have to go through this type of thing is truly one of the saddest things we've seen in the sports news in a while. We can only pass along our thoughts and prayers to Burke and his family and give him the privacy he deserves.
The Leafs coaches and players have all expressed deep sorrow in regard to the tragic situation, and will continue to play hard and try to win games for their Pres/GM. Tonight will see the San Jose Sharks in town for their only tangle with the Leafs this season. The Sharks sit in 1st place atop the Western Conference with a record of 38-11-9, the only team to hold less regulation losses than the Capitals. The Sharks 85 points are 36 better than the Leafs current point total. Despite looking like a complete blow-out on paper, this game still holds plenty of interesting tidbits for Leafs fans, as new-comer Giguere will get the start and still hasn't let in one goal as a member of the blue & white. Coach Wilson's former team will be the first test on this go-around for rookie call-up Viktor Stalberg, who gets another crack at the big club tonight. The Leafs have sent Jay Rosehill down to the minors, and have also (strangely) called up Andre Deveaux today. Not sure if Deveaux is in the lineup tonight but Jeff Finger will definitely sit for the 6th time in a row on the back end. The Buds could be sitting Mitchell or Wallin to make room for Stalberg on the second line, putting Deveaux on the fourth. If Wallin sits, Mitchell will likely move to center the third line.
Speculated Lineup tonight:
Poni, Bozak, Kessel
Stempniak, Hanson, Mitchell(Stalberg)
Sjostrom, Wallin (Mitchell), Kulemin
Deveaux, Primeau, Orr
Beauch, Phaneuf
Kabby, Gunnarsson
Schenn, Exelby
Giggy (starter)
Gustavsson
The Leafs could really pull off a shocker tonight in this one. The game is on Sportsnet Ontario at 7ET.
-MSU
