Martin Marincin Returns
After 17 games on the sidelines, Martin Marincin is ready to get back in the Maple Leafs lineup. Marincin will appear in his first game since December 10, versus the Ottawa Senators on Hockey Night in Canada.
Martin Marincin will play tonight, Babcock confirms. Playing with Nikita Zaitsev. Will be a big help to penalty kill too.
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) January 21, 2017
Lineup Changes
The Leafs defence was bad on Thursday against the New York Rangers. Really bad, actually. Changes were expected come Saturday night. Head coach Mike Babcock started Thursday night with Jake Gardiner – Nikita Zaitsev, Matt Hunwick – Roman Polak, and Frank Corrado – Connor Carrick. That quickly changed, with poor performances from Corrado and Carrick. The anticipated pairings for Saturday’s Battle of Ontario features Marincin drawing in, and Corrado falling back out. The Gardiner-Carrick pairing will be reunited, and Martin Marincin will play with Nikita Zaitsev. The “Hunlak” pairing remains the third pair.
Perfect Timing
Marincin comes back at the perfect time for the Leafs. The defence is ailing in limited action without Morgan Rielly, as shown against the Rangers. A left-hand shot, Marincin will slide right into the top four. Although Morgan Rielly will still be dearly missed, the defence should be better. Thursday night, the Leafs played just two left-shot defencemen, and four right. Marincin balances the defence back out to three left and three right, and no one will have to play on the wrong side.
On top of this, Marincin will be important back on the penalty kill. Roman Polak and Matt Hunwick have been leaned on heavily on the PK. His return to the lineup alleviates some of the pressure off of the two veterans.
Solid Start
When Marincin went down due to injury he was in the midst of a surprisingly solid offensive start. The 24-year old Slovakian had six points in 16 games, just two points shy of his 2015-16 total. Marincin has yet to top seven points in his 166 game National Hockey League career. He is on pace for 18 points in 55 games, more than double his previous high.
Marincin has had well over a month out of the lineup, so expect some rust. If Rielly is out longer than currently expected, he will be vital depth in the second half.
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