How to watch Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens on TV, livestream
By Riley Butler
Coming off of two wins against Dallas and Buffalo, the Leafs look for a third at home against the Canadiens on Saturday. Expect emotions to be running high as Tomas Plekanec plays against the Habs for the first time in his career.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to take a lead in the season series against the Montreal Canadiens after splitting the last four games this season at two apiece. The bright side being that the last time these two teams played the Leafs dismantled the Habs in a 6-0 win.
Here is everything you need to know to watch this Original Six matchup on Saturday:
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens
Date: Saturday, March 17
Location: Air Canada Center. Toronto, Ontario
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: CBC, SN, TVAS, NHLN-US
Live Stream: Fubo.TV
The season is winding down and the Leafs and the Habs both sit at opposite ends of the Eastern Conference. The Leafs, winners of their last two, are currently sitting third in the Atlantic Division with a comfortable 14-point lead on the Florida Panthers. The Habs currently sit in the basement at fourth last in the East with only 64 points.
The Habs have been bad all season, and with the onslaught of injuries they have currently, it’s not surprising to see them already looking forward to next season. Shea Weber (foot) has been shut down for the season after undergoing surgery and Carey Price (concussion) is still out but is traveling with the team for this game. He is not starting, though; that spot is expected to go to Antti Niemi. After his abysmal start to the season, Niemi has cleaned up his game with the Canadiens posting a 5-2-4 record with a 2.30 GAA and a 0.933SV%.
The Leafs will be without Auston Matthews, though he continues to come closer and closer to returning from his second-stage separated shoulder. He continues to practice in a non-contact jersey, but the team is hopeful for a return before playoffs. The Leafs will look to ride the hot hand of James van Riemsdyk, who is coming off his third career hat-trick on Wednesday against the Stars and another three points on (2G, 1A) on Thursday against the Sabres. The Leafs will more than likely be without Leo Komarov after he left Thursday’s game against the Sabres after an awkward collision with William Nylander.
The biggest story of the game will Tomas Plekanec and the fact that this will be his very first game against the Canadiens in his career. The center was drafted by the Canadiens organization in 2001 and played 981 games for the Habs before being traded to the Leafs at the trade deadline. Plekanec is yet to record a point in the blue and white, but he seems to be easing in with his teammates after playing with multiple pairs of wingers as Mike Babcock continues to put his lines in a blender due to injuries.
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As per usual when these two bitter Original Six rivals meet, fans can expect a heated game with lots of offense, especially with teams playing their backups.