Loss in regulation to Boston and Toronto is eliminated from playoffs
Mats Sundin and Nik Antropov will return to the Maple Leaf lineup as Toronto fights to keep its slim playoff hopes alive.
Sundin has been nursing a sore groin since tearing it in the first period March 12 against Philadelphia.
"It felt good this morning, so we'll it a try tonight," said Sundin. "It's been getting better every day."
The captain insists he's not rushing back just because the Leafs are in a do-or-die situation. "As soon as I felt good enough to play, that's the only thing I've been going after. I'm excited to be able to play tonight."
Antropov hurt his knee the very next game, against Buffalo. The Leafs went 4-2-0 in Sundin's absence, but the team's playoff hopes were dealt a huge blow after Tuesday's 6-2 lost to Boston.
Should the Leafs lose in regulation tonight, they'll be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
"The reality is we've been in this situation since the middle of January, really," said Sundin. "I think we realized that we really have to turn it on to have a chance to make the playoffs. Guys are used to the feeling of having a must-win situation."
Kris Newbury will likely be one of the two healthy scratches needed to make room for Sundin and Antropov. Coach Paul Maurice said the other scratch will be a game-time decision. One possibility is Darcy Tucker who is nursing an undisclosed injury. He missed practice Wednesday.
For the Bruins, the injury woes continue. Chuck Kobasew has a broken tibia after taking a Zdeno Chara slapshot off the shin on Tuesday night. He's out 4-8 weeks, joining centre Marc Savard (back) and defenceman Andrew Ference (knee) on the sidelines.
Mats Sundin and Nik Antropov will return to the Maple Leaf lineup as Toronto fights to keep its slim playoff hopes alive.
Sundin has been nursing a sore groin since tearing it in the first period March 12 against Philadelphia.
"It felt good this morning, so we'll it a try tonight," said Sundin. "It's been getting better every day."
The captain insists he's not rushing back just because the Leafs are in a do-or-die situation. "As soon as I felt good enough to play, that's the only thing I've been going after. I'm excited to be able to play tonight."
Antropov hurt his knee the very next game, against Buffalo. The Leafs went 4-2-0 in Sundin's absence, but the team's playoff hopes were dealt a huge blow after Tuesday's 6-2 lost to Boston.
Should the Leafs lose in regulation tonight, they'll be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
"The reality is we've been in this situation since the middle of January, really," said Sundin. "I think we realized that we really have to turn it on to have a chance to make the playoffs. Guys are used to the feeling of having a must-win situation."
Kris Newbury will likely be one of the two healthy scratches needed to make room for Sundin and Antropov. Coach Paul Maurice said the other scratch will be a game-time decision. One possibility is Darcy Tucker who is nursing an undisclosed injury. He missed practice Wednesday.
For the Bruins, the injury woes continue. Chuck Kobasew has a broken tibia after taking a Zdeno Chara slapshot off the shin on Tuesday night. He's out 4-8 weeks, joining centre Marc Savard (back) and defenceman Andrew Ference (knee) on the sidelines.
