Myers, Pacioretty to draw in as Maple Leafs look to rebound in Boston

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Never mind forgetting their most recent game in Boston, the Maple Leafs need to erase the poor play of their past two games.

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On Saturday night, the Leafs return to TD Garden to play the Bruins for the first time since May 4, when David Pastrnak scored in overtime of Game 7 to send the Leafs to yet another first-round exit in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Crucially from the Leafs’ standpoint, the bigger and more pressing issue is getting back to playing Craig Berube hockey — structurally sound with extra grit and offensive execution — after demoralizing losses to St. Louis and Columbus.

“Guys are ready to go,” Berube told media in Boston after the Leafs’ optional morning skate. “They’re disappointed too. That’s the way it is in the game. Players aren’t happy either (in) not winning, not playing well.

“There’s a lot of history with these two teams as you guys know, so we expect a hard game from both teams.”

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Anthony Stolarz will start in net for the Leafs. Jeremy Swayman gets the call for the Bruins.

We’re in the early stages of the 2024-25 National Hockey League regular season, but it’s still strange to witness a game between the Atlantic Division rivals when neither is holding a playoff spot, as was the case before games on Saturday got underway.

With eight points on a record of 4-4-0, the Leafs are a shade better than the Bruins, who are 3-4-1 for seven points. Boston is coming off a couple of poor performances as well, getting outscored 9-2 in losses to Nashville and Dallas.

A couple of lineup changes are in store for the Leafs. On the blue line, Philippe Myers, a veteran of 158 NHL games with Philadelphia, Nashville and Tampa Bay, is set to make his Toronto debut.

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“He came into camp and earned a spot,” Berube said. “He played physical, he was good on the penalty kill, he was defending very well back there, he is a big guy. A simple game, but hard to play against.”

Winger Max Pacioretty is slated to return after he missed the game on Thursday with a lower-body injury.

The Leafs scratches would be defenceman Connor Timmins and forward Pontus Holmberg.

What does Timothy Liljegren, whose only game of the season was on Oct. 16 against the Los Angeles Kings, have to do to get back in the lineup?

“Right now, it’s a little bit of a numbers game,” Berube said. “I know I threw him in there for a game and it’s hard with one game.

“He has to be patient. That’s just the way it is. We make decisions as a staff and as an organization about what we feel is best at the time. He is working on his game and he will get another opportunity.”

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If Myers plays well when he is rotated in, it’s possible that would expedite a Liljegren trade. Either way, we’re not sure there’s a future for Liljegren in Toronto.

With defenceman Jani Hakanpaa (knee) and forward Connor Dewar (shoulder) both eligible to return from long-term injured reserve for the game next Saturday in St. Louis, the Leafs will have to make roster moves in order to stay under the salary cap.

Hakanpaa and Dewar are with the Leafs on this trip, which includes a stop in Winnipeg on Monday to play the Jets.

“I thought it was good for them to come and be around the players and the team and getting on the ice with the guys,” Berube said.

“They’re getting to the point where it’s getting close.”

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