(Photo Credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

By: Jack Studley  |  Follow me on Twitter/X @jackstudley13

The Boston Bruins (9-7-0) are north of the border tonight for a matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs (8-5-1). Tonight’s game is the first of (only) three matchups between the Bruins and Toronto this season, and the first of two in the next four days. The Bruins are riding high, winning their last five games. Toronto comes into tonight winning their previous three games. Last year, Boston dropped the season series against the Leafs, going 1-2-1; both away games ended in regulation wins for Toronto.

On Saturday morning, the Boston Bruins announced that Elias Lindholm has been placed on the injured reserve, and in turn, Alex Steeves has been brought up to the big club. As reported by Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, Steeves slotted into the top six during the morning skate, slotting into the second line with Pavel Zacha and Viktor Arvidsson. Before arriving in New England this summer, Steeves played 14 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs and is the Toronto Marlies franchise leader in goals and points.

Charlie McAvoy and Casey Mittelstadt did not skate with the team during the morning skate at Scotiabank Arena. Fluto Shinzawa of the Athletic reported that Charlie McAvoy is home due to a personal matter, and Casey Mittelstadt did not travel; he is dealing with an upper-body injury. Jeffrey Viel will slide back into the lineup, and Johnny Beecher will serve as a scratch tonight. Beecher played six shifts for 4:07 before leaving the game with what Marco Sturm called an upper-body injury.

Mason Lohrei will also slide back into the lineup against Toronto. He has been a healthy scratch for the last five games, and the Bruins went 5-0-0 in that run. Ahead of last week’s game against Carolina, Sturm said, “He should be pissed. He should be very pissed. He should be upset. He works hard at practice. He’s ready, he just waits for his opportunities.” Tonight, Mason Lohrei is expected to skate on a pair with Jonathan Aspirot.

The Maple Leafs’ offense has found success, scoring an average of 3.71 goals per game, second most in the league. They do allow the fourth most goals per game, sitting at an average of 3.57. When looking at special teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs enter this game with the 31st-ranked power play in the league, currently at 11.8%. Both the Bruins’ and the Maple Leafs’ penalty kills are killing at an 83.3% rate, tied with each other for 10th in the league.

According to Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, Jeremy Swayman was in the starter’s crease during morning skate. He is expected to start tonight. This will be the 200th regular-season game of Jeremy Swayman’s career, and his eleventh against the Maple Leafs. He is 5-4-1 against Toronto. Sportsnet’s Luke Fox reported that Anthony Stolarz will be going in goal for the Maple Leafs, with Dennis Hildeby serving as the backup. Stolarz is 2-0-1 against the Bruins throughout his career.

Tonight will be the first time that the Bruins will see Brandon Carlo in a new uniform. He was traded for Fraser Minten, a first-round pick, and a fourth-round pick at the NHL Trade Deadline in March. For Minten and Alex Steeves, this will be their first game against the Maple Leafs since they joined the Bruins organization.

The Bruins and Leafs get underway tonight around 7:15 PM. For fans in the New England area, NESN will carry the game on television, and 98.5 will have the radio call. For our friends up north, this game will kick off tonight’s slate of Hockey Night in Canada on CBC and Sportsnet. My BNG colleague Parker McLean will have boots on the ground coverage from the Scotiabank Arena tonight. Consider giving him a follow for coverage on tonight’s game!