Music: {allcanada} MAPLE LEAFS (26-33-5) at LIGHTNING (39-20-6)

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

{allcanada} MAPLE LEAFS (26-33-5) at LIGHTNING (39-20-6)

ESPN Fantasy Baseball / Yahoo Fantasy Baseball

Thursday, March 5, 2015

7:30 PM ET

MAPLE LEAFS (26-33-5) at LIGHTNING (39-20-6)

TV: TVA, SNO, SUN

Season series: Steven Stamkos scored his second goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, and 20th overall, to give the Tampa Bay Lightning the win in their most recent game. James van Riemsdyk scored two goals in their first game this season, won by Toronto.

Maple Leafs team scope: Among the players who participated in Toronto's optional skate Wednesday was recently acquired defenseman Eric Brewer. Brewer was a scratch on Tuesday when the Maple Leafs defeated the Florida Panthers 3-2 but is expected to make his debut against the Lightning, with whom he started this season. "We'll work him in tomorrow and let him do his thing," assistant coach Steve Staios said. The visit to Tampa Bay will be the final stop on a four-game road trip for Toronto, which has won three of its past five.

Lightning team scope: Goalie Ben Bishop practiced Wednesday without issue after being a late scratch prior to a 3-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres. Bishop missed the game after being hit by a puck in a sensitive area during a skate earlier in the day. Defenseman Matt Carle participated in practice without a no-contact jersey for the first time since having surgery to repair torn muscles in his abdomen in January. Carle is not expected back until next week at the earliest. "Things are happening as they should," Carle said. "We're still in the timeline." The Lightning are second in the Atlantic Division behind the Montreal Canadiens.

Team Stats