The Toronto Maple Leafs were back on the ice Wednesday after their 7-3 loss in Game 1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning with some changes to the lines at practice.
After sitting for the series opener, rookie Matthew Knies was in a regular practice jersey, skating on the third line with Ryan O'Reilly and Noel Acciari.
Knies told reporters after practice that he is "super stoked" to potentially make his playoff debut. He also mentioned that it is every kid's dream to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe believed that Knies should be ready if given the call.
“We brought him in here for a reason and gave him the games we gave him for a reason," Keefe said. "Because we felt he'd be a good option for us if needed.”
With Michael Bunting in a grey scratches jersey – as he awaits the results from his hearing with the NHL's department of player safety – Calle Jarnkrok took his spot on the top line with Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews.
With O'Reilly moved down to the third line, Alexander Kerfoot was moved up to the second line with William Nylander and John Tavares going back to centre.
The Florida Panthers got some good news at morning skate with Sam Bennett returning to the lineup for Game 2. The forward missed the series opener with an undisclosed injury but was back skating on the second line with Matthew Tkachuk and Eetu Luostarinen.
Head coach Paul Maurice also confirmed that Alex Lyon will start in goal after three goals on 29 shots in Game 1, meaning highly paid Sergei Bobrovsky will be on the bench.
The Panthers look to avoid a 2-0 series deficit when they take on the Boston Bruins in Game 2, which you can watch on Sportsnet and SN NOW at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.
Dallas Stars veteran forward Joe Pavelski is in concussion protocol, head coach Pete DeBoers told reporters on Wednesday.
Pavelski hit his head on the ice after the crushing blow from Minnesota defenseman Matt Dumba to the side of the Wild net Monday night. Officials initially announced a five-minute major penalty before that was changed to a two-minute minor for roughing after a video review.
The Stars centre remained lying on the ice for some time, during which teammate Max Domi sought out and fought Dumba.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Erik Cernak will be out of the lineup Thursday for Game 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs while star defenceman Victor Hedman will be a game-time decision, head coach Jon Cooper told reporters.
Cernak left Tuesday's game after an illegal check to the head from Toronto's Michael Bunting that saw the Maple Leafs forward ejected from the game. Bunting will have a hearing for the hit on Wednesday, the NHL department of player safety announced.
Meanwhile, Hedman missed most of Game 1 with an undisclosed injury.
The 32-year-old Swede was absent from the Lightning's bench to begin the second period and after briefly making a return, he headed back to the locker room. He did not return to the game.
After the game, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper did not have much of an update on his status.
"It's way too early to tell," Cooper told reporters. "This is one of those, 'Let's wake up tomorrow and see what's going on.'"
The Lightning did receive some good news on Wednesday as forward Tanner Jeannot returned to practice and took line rushes with Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Corey Perry.
Jeannot has been out of the lineup since April 5 when he got tangled up with Islanders defenceman Scott Mayfield and fell awkwardly on his right leg.
Game 2 is Thursday night on Sportsnet and SN NOW at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
--with files from The Associated Press
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