Toronto @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 23, 2018 ) Detroit 4, Toronto 5

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been off for eight days since they last played but they still managed to pull off a big victory following the All-Star break. Toronto made a huge move to upgrade its blue-line corps by swinging a deal with the Los Angeles Kings to acquire defenseman Jake Muzzin, who will debut for his new team when the Maple Leafs visit the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night.

Muzzin, who won a Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2013-14, goes from a team that was buried in last place in the Western Conference to one that sits in second place in the Atlantic Division. “Defensively, we thought it was a great fit for us, and knowing his character and what he’s about, we thought it would be a great fit for our locker room as well," Toronto general manager Kyle Dubas said. "We’re excited.” Like the Maple Leafs, the Red Wings went into the break off a victory, knocking off Edmonton 3-2 to salvage the finale of a three-game road trip through Western Canada, but they will have a nine-day break between games. "Guys seemed refreshed, which is what you want to gain from the break," Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said at Thursday's practice. "That's what we all love to do and it was great to be back at it."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN4 (Toronto), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (30-17-2): Muzzin, who will turn 30 in three weeks, notched a career-best 42 points (eight goals, 34 assists) last season and had 21 in 50 games with Los Angeles before the trade. “Here we are and I’m coming back to play for the team I rooted for growing up," Muzzin said. "I’m excited to come and put on the Leafs jersey and play. That’s why we play, is to get the playoff and have a chance to win the Stanley Cup. ... I’m excited to have another chance and get an opportunity to get there and have another crack at it.” Muzzin is expected to be paired with Morgan Rielly, who will slide over from the left point to the right.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (19-25-7): Forward Tyler Bertuzzi, third on the team in goals with 13, will not be available for Friday or Saturday's matchup after sustaining an upper-body injury at Edmonton and will be replaced on the top line by Justin Abdelkader. Bertuzzi's injury opened a spot in the lineup that will be claimed by forward Martin Frk, who will see his first action since New Year's Eve. "You just gotta come happy, do your work and play when you get the chance," said Frk, who has one goal and three assists in 23 games. "I get the chance tomorrow and I gotta do everything to show them I can play. We'll see how it goes."

OVERTIME

1. Toronto owns a five-game point streak (4-0-1) in the series, but the teams have split 5-4 overtime decisions in the past two meetings.

2. Red Wings G Jimmy Howard is 6-5-2 with a 2.55 goals-against average versus Toronto.

3. Maple Leafs F Kasperi Kapanen has three goals and an assist in three meetings against Detroit this season.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 4, Red Wings 2