Spezza, Holl to make series debut for Leafs; Simmonds, Liljegren scratched for Game 3
Jason Spezza will make his series debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight in Game 3 of their first-round playoff matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The 38-year-old forward sat out the first two contests as a healthy scratch after suiting up 71 times in the regular season.
Spezza, who registered 12 goals and 13 assists in 2021-22, skated on the fourth line at the morning skate with Colin Blackwell and Pierre Engvall.
Leafs defenceman Justin Holl is also set to draw in after sitting out Monday's 5-0 victory and Wednesday's 5-3 loss in Toronto. He replaces Timothy Liljegren on the third pair with Mark Giordano.
Toronto winger Kyle Clifford is available after serving a one-game suspension for boarding on Tampa's Ross Colton in the opener, but is projected to be scratched along with Wayne Simmonds.
The hard-nosed forward took two undisciplined penalties that led to a pair of power-play goals against in Game 2 against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.
"I don't think words can describe how hard it is to watch a game when you're a player," Spezza said after the morning skate. "It's difficult, but it's part of the process of being on a team.
"We have a great team here. We're gonna need to use our depth throughout playoffs, but as a player, it's one of the hardest things you do."
Spezza, who hasn't played in the playoffs in front of a full house since he was a member of the Dallas Stars in 2019, has 28 goals and 75 points in 92 career post-season contests.
"It's best time of year to play hockey," he said. "I can bring some enthusiasm to the game today and have some poise, and also hopefully help power play and just kind of get the line in good order."
Leafs winger Ondrej Kase (personal) wasn't on the ice this morning, but is expected to dress. The 26-year-old returned from a concussion at the start of the playoffs after sitting out the last 20 games of the regular season.
Game 4 of the series goes Sunday back at Amalie Arena.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.