Tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs face off against the San Jose Sharks in a game brimming with storylines, most notably the return of Ryan Reaves to Scotiabank Arena. Reaves, who was traded to the Sharks in July, is making his first appearance in Toronto since the deal.
Reaves' departure from the Leafs wasn't without its share of candid remarks. He previously expressed feeling a "lack of trust" from the team, which led to limited ice time and even a stint in the AHL. Ahead of tonight's game, Reaves alluded to some frustration with how his exit was handled, suggesting clearer communication would have been appreciated. He felt the organization mishandled his exit and wrongly wrote him off as an NHL player. Despite this, he also stated that he has settled in well with San Jose and views Toronto as a mere stepping stone.
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube acknowledged Reaves' return, expressing respect and fondness for the veteran forward. Berube, who has known Reaves for a long time, recognizes the challenges players face as they get older and approach the end of their careers.
Adding to the intrigue, Henry Thrun, acquired by the Leafs in the trade that sent Reaves to San Jose, is set to make his debut for Toronto. He was paired with Simon Benoit at practice.
Beyond the Reaves narrative, the game presents other compelling storylines. The spotlight will also be on the performance of the Maple Leafs' power play, which currently ranks last in the league with a 13.7% efficiency. Berube has emphasized the importance of special teams practice, hoping to see improvement in this area. Morgan Rielly missed Wednesday's practice due to illness but appears to be ready for tonight's game.
The Maple Leafs will be without Bobby McMann, who is serving a one-game suspension. William Nylander has been moved to the third line alongside Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua after going pointless in his last four games, while Nicholas Robertson is expected to be back in the lineup on the second line. Joseph Woll participated in Thursday's morning skate and appears close to returning. Chris Tanev was on the ice in a non-contact jersey; however, there was no update on his status.
The Maple Leafs are currently on a five-game point streak, with a 4-0-1 record, allowing just 10 goals in that span. They are in fifth place in the Atlantic Division, five points behind the Detroit Red Wings. The Sharks game is the first of two between the teams.
