Leafs practice news: No lineup changes, Matthews, Ekman-Larsson discuss Olympics

In spite of a record-setting snowstorm, the Toronto Maple Leafs held an eventful practice Monday at the Ford Performance Centre. The team cancelled their previously scheduled Open Practice due to inclement weather, but a regular practice was held with players and reporters in attendance.

There are no apparent lineup changes to the roster that the Maple Leafs used on Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche. Calle Jarnkrok skated on the fourth line, alongside Steven Lorentz and Scott Laughton.

William Nylander apologized for giving the middle finger to a TSN broadcast camera during Sunday’s game. Nylander was caught on the broadcast during the third period of Sunday’s game, while in the press box with the rest of the Leafs’ injured players and scratches.

“First off, I want to apologize for my actions. It’s a lot of frustration, so I’m sorry about that,” Nylander said, while expressing frustration that he’s been out of the lineup due to injury, after aggravating a lower-body injury on January 15 against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Auston Matthews and Oliver Ekman-Larsson both spoke about their impending participation at the Olympics, with the tournament quickly on the horizon.

“I think we always have a good chance to do something special,” Ekman-Larsson said. “I know all the guys that wear that yellow and blue shirt want to do good. I think everybody knows what we expect out of each other, and it’s going to be a lot of fun to go over there and play with those guys.”

“It’s obviously a huge honour and privilege to be able to represent your country and go and compete in it,” Matthews said. “There are a lot of things you’re excited about. I’m looking forward to, first and foremost, the hockey and being able to compete like that. I think everything that else that goes into it, it’s definitely a really special experience.”

Matthews declined to expand on the political implications that come with playing for the USA at the Olympics, and it’s clear that at least for now, he’s focused on the task at hand: defeating the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday to stop a four-game losing streak amid a home stand.

Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Sabres

Bobby McMann-Auston Matthews-Max Domi 

Matias Maccelli-John Tavares-Matthew Knies

Easton Cowan-Nicolas Roy-Nick Robertson

Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok

Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo 

Jake McCabe-Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Simon Benoit-Troy Stecher 

Anthony Stolarz

Joseph Woll