Maple Leafs Receive Great News Ahead of Friday's Game vs Flames

The Toronto Maple Leafs recently beat the Philadelphia Flyers shorthanded this week and now ahead of Friday's game with the Calgary Flames will be back to full strength. Captain John Tavares is expected back in the lineup after taking part in the morning skate.

John Tavares leads the stretch

All signs point to his return tonight … Keefe will address media within the hour pic.twitter.com/UAsvuILPC9
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 12, 2021

Sheldon Keefe says it looks like John Tavares will play tonight

Joey Anderson will take warm-up just in case @TSN_Edge
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 12, 2021

Tavares missed the Flyers game on Wednesday with a lower body injury. He's been one of the best Maple Leafs of late as the core four has been carrying the team's offense this season. Tavares has recorded 13 points in 13 games this season and has been red hot with six goals in his last six games.

The Maple Leafs take on the Flames on Friday and then are in Buffalo to face the Sabres on Saturday night. After a slow start to the season, the Leafs have a 8-5-1 record, good for 2nd in the Atlantic division with 17 points.

Toronto will have Travis Dermott as a healthy scratch on Friday, for the second straight game. Both he and Justin Holl have been interchanging so far this season and both are being shopped for trade by general manager Kyle Dubas. As for Tavares, he's expected to skate with Mitch Marner and Alexander Kerfoot on the team's second line and looks to keep his red hot stick on the ice.