Overview
- Puck drop is 4:00 p.m. ET with national coverage on TNT, HBO Max and truTV, marking the final game before the NHL Christmas break.
- The Maple Leafs enter under heavy scrutiny following Monday’s firing of assistant coach Marc Savard, who oversaw a power play ranked last at 13.3%.
- Toronto has gone 1-4-1 in its last six games and was outscored 14-4 on a three-game road trip, with William Nylander saying the team’s confidence is low.
- Pittsburgh travels with a thinned lineup that includes Evgeni Malkin on injured reserve, and the Penguins aim to build on a win Sunday before four days off.
- Toronto leads the season series 2-0 after lopsided meetings in November, while Sidney Crosby has points in six straight games against the Leafs.