GAMEDAY: Rested Leafs favoured in first ever visit by Utah

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First ever visit by Utah sets the stage for the re-united Nylander brothers.

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Utah Hockey Club (8-9-3) at Maple Leafs (12-6-2).

WHEN

Sunday, 7 p.m., Scotiabank Arena

TV: TSN

RADIO: TSN 590

ODDS

Utah +160, Toronto -190

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THE BUZZ

William and younger brother Alex Nylander will be in their first NHL game after Alex was signed and recalled from the Marlies amid a number of Toronto injuries. “You take their numbers off, it’d hard to differentiate the two of them,” teammate Chris Tanev said of the wingers’ similarities … Alex will be trying to emulate the strong start of three farm team call-ups, Nikita Grebenkin, Fraser Minten and Alex Steeves, who helped in Wednesday’s win over Vegas … The Leafs will be facing Utah on the second of its back-to-back after playing in Pittsburgh Saturday. Before erupting for a 6-1 win, the former Arizona Coyotes were averaging just 2.57 goals a game, shut out five times and had won just three road games … Toronto and Utah were tied for the second-best team faceoff percentage in the league on Saturday at 53.8%  … “We’ve played them a bunch before on Arizona, but I think when we go there (in March to Salt Lake City), it will be pretty cool,” said Tanev … Coach Craig Berube would not name a starting goalie. Although it would be Anthony Stolarz’s turn in the rotation, Joseph Woll is coming off of a shutout versus the Knights.

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THE NEWS

Auston Matthews is home from Germany and has resumed skating with an eye to playing Wednesday in Florida … Max Domi and Matthew Knies have not resumed practice yet, part of seven forwards out of the lineup counting the suspended Ryan Reaves … At .78 assists per game, Mitch Marner trails only Doug Gilmour’s .82 for the franchise lead.

THE QUOTE

“I’m shocked. I thought it wasn’t allowed for the Leafs not to play on a Saturday night.” — coach Craig Berube, joking about a rare Hockey Night In Canada date without his team.

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THE POLL

What would be a good nickname for the Utah Hockey Club?

1. Yeti
2. Blizzard
3. Salt
4. Ice Jazz

THE PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP

Bobby McMann – John Tavares – Mitch Marner 

Nick Robertson – Pontus Holmberg – William Nylander

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Nikita Grebenkin – Fraser Minten – Alex Nylander

Alex Steeves – Connor Dewar – Steven Lorentz

Defence

Morgan Rielly – Oliver Ekman-Larsson 

Jake McCabe – Chris Tanev

Simon Benoit – Conor Timmins

Goal

Anthony Stolarz

Joseph Woll

THE INJURIES

Toronto: C Auston Matthews (upper body), LW Matthew Knies (upper body), LW Max Pacioretty (leg), F/LW Max Domi (lower body) C David Kampf (lower body), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin), RW Ryan Reaves (suspended).

Utah:  G Connor Ingram (upper body), D Sean Durzi (shoulder), D John Marino (back).

THE PREDICTION

Leafs will have plenty of jump and incentive for this one — and will face a travel weary team. 4-1 Toronto.

Lhornby@postmedia.com 

X: @sunhornby

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