In the biggest game of the regular season (so far), the Maple Leafs enter this four-point matchup against the Panthers with a two-point lead in the Atlantic Division race (7:30 p.m. EST, Sportsnet).

There is one more matchup between these two teams to come, but being four points ahead with seven games to go is a major difference compared to being tied on points with seven to play. To accomplish that four-point cushion, the Leafs will need to beat the Panthers in regulation, something they’ve done just once in the last six meetings. With the Panthers at the end of a three-in-four (second half of a back-to-back) and without some key pieces due to injury/suspension, this is a golden opportunity for the fully-healthy and rested Leafs, one they really need to take advantage of. source

Projected Lineup:

Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – Mitch Marner
Bobby McMann – John Tavares – William Nylander
Scott Laughton – Max Domi – Calle Jarnkrok
Pontus Holmberg – David Kampf – Steven Lorentz

Morgan Rielly – Brandon Carlo
Jake McCabe – Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit – Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Anthony Stolarz
Joseph Woll

Scratched: Nicholas Robertson, Philippe Myers

Injured: Jani Hakanpaa (lower body), Max Pacioretty (tightness)

Status report: The Panthers did not hold a morning skate after a 3-2 overtime loss at the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. … Sturm is day to day after he left that game in the first period following a collision with linemate A.J. Greer. Coach Paul Maurice said after the game, “We’ll get him looked at again (Wednesday). He didn’t feel he could come back, so we’ll get him assessed (Wednesday).” Nosek replaced him in the lineup … Megna was recalled from Charlotte of the American Hockey League. … The Maple Leafs will use the same 18 skaters for the third straight game.