Bruins at Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock told reporters that Auston Matthews is making progress from his upper-body injury, but that doesn't mean he's rushing the reigning Calder Trophy recipient back to the ice. After missing the first game of his young career, Matthews' availability is in question for Friday's opener of a home-and-home series against the Boston Bruins at Air Canada Centre.
"When he's ready to go, when he's out there skating around, we'll know he's a day closer," Babcock said of the 20-year-old Matthews, who leads the team in goals (10) and points (19). "The kid wants to play hockey. It's not serious, but it's something we've got to get fixed." Nazem Kadri helped Toronto fix its recent troubles of losing five of six by scoring twice in a 4-3 win over Vegas on Monday before tallying again two nights later in a 4-2 victory over Minnesota. David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron each scored a goal and set up another in a 4-2 setback at the New York Rangers, resulting in Boston's fourth loss in six games. Pastrnak has 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in his last 11 contests while Bergeron has 10 (three goals, seven assists) in his last six.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), TSN4 (Toronto)
ABOUT THE BRUINS (6-5-3): Coach Bruce Cassidy showed considerable fire along the bench as he liberally gave his players the business during Boston's game against New York, with the match seemingly being lit after his team's painfully slow start. "We want to see the urgency at 7 or 8 (p.m.) when the puck drops - not when we're behind a couple (goals)," Cassidy said. "That's the message we're trying to get through and hopefully it sinks in Friday because we've got another tough building." Cassidy wasn't sure on Thursday if Brad Marchand would answer the bell in the opener versus the Maple leafs as he deals with an upper-body injury.
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (10-7-0): Connor Brown scored and set up a goal versus the Wild to increase his point total to five (four goals, one assists) in five games. Fellow forward William Nylander would love that type of production, however he insists he isn't dwelling on his current nine-game goal drought. "I think I've had the opportunities, but maybe just haven't been able to get the shot off," the 21-year-old Nylander said. "... Goals will come when they come, there's no point wasting energy (worrying about) that."
OVERTIME
1. Cassidy told reporters that he is leaning toward Anton Khudobin in net on Friday before turning to fellow G Tuukka Rask at home.
2. Toronto LW Patrick Marleau has scored two goals and set up two others over his last five games.
3. The Original Six rivals will reconvene in Boston for Saturday's tilt before steering clear of each other until a Feb. 3 contest at TD Garden.