“The plan is he is playing tonight,” Babcock said as the Leafs prepared for a key game against division rival Montreal. “We’re going to dress an extra (defenceman) in warm-ups, but the plan is he’s playing.”Maple Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner plans on playing Saturday night, head coach Mike Babcock said after the morning skate. Gardiner missed Friday’s practice for what Babcock said was a “maintenance day.” He has suffered back spasms in the past, but the source of his current problem was not given. Centre Nazem Kadri (concussion) did not skate Saturday morning, and is not expected to face the Canadiens. Montreal enters the game on a two-game winning streak, and have narrowed their gap to the Leafs to three points.

Source: thestar February 23, 2019 18:56 UTC