Jason Spezza was broken hearted to be scratched for playoff games
Jason Spezza has been a healthy scratch for the first two games of the Tampa Bay Lightning series and he's been unhappy about it:
I don't think words can describe how difficult it is to watch a game as a player.
The Veteran Center was a scratch before, four times in a seven game stretch in April most recently, wherein those seven games he tallied 4 points, with 2 goals and 2 assists, with a total of 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points, which is under his production for 2020-2021.
He will be centering Pierre Engvall and Colin Blackwell on the 4th line, and Wayne Simmonds will be coming out.
While he understands, it is a necessity it sounds like he's ready to make an impact on the ice tonight:
We have a great team here. We're gonna need to use our depth throughout playoffs, but as a player, it's one of the hardest things you do.
It's the best time of year to play hockey," he said. "I can bring some enthusiasm to the game today and have some poise, and also hopefully help power play and just kind of get the line in good order.
It's the best time of year to play hockey," he said. "I can bring some enthusiasm to the game today and have some poise, and also hopefully help power play and just kind of get the line in good order.
I imagine centering the young Leaf's players will be enthusiastic about getting to slot in against the Lightning, who has tied the series in 2 very competitive games so far.
In the North Division playoffs last year, Spezza was a reliable contributor:
Spezza accounted for three goals and five points in seven postseason games last year.
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Should Jason Spezza be in the Leafs lineup? | ||
| Yes | 231 | 79.7 % |
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