The Toronto Maple Leafs made an important announcement ahead of their matchup on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings at Scotiabank Arena.
The Maple Leafs-Red Wings game was originally scheduled for 4 pm EST on Thanksgiving Day in Canada. However, the Toronto Blue Jays will also play on that night as part of their American League Championship Series with the Seattle Mariners.
So, the Leafs moved up the start time of their game by two hours to 2 pm EST. The move intends to allow fans to catch the Maple Leafs’ regular-season game and then the Blue Jays postseason matchup.
It’s worth noting that the Blue Jays have not reached the Championship Series since 2016. The last time the Toronto baseball club made the playoffs was in 2022 and 2023. However, the club failed to advance during both of those postseason appearances.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs are coming off an embarrassing 6-3 loss on Saturday night to the Red Wings at the Little Caesars Arena. The Leafs blew a 2-0 lead, and while they tied the game at three in the third period, the Wings pulled away with three goals, including two empty-netters.
Monday’s game will give Toronto a shot at revenge. The Leafs enter Monday’s game 1-1, and will be looking to notch their second win of this young NHL season.
Maple Leafs Collaborated with NHL, Amazon to Move Game
The Maple Leafs’ Monday game was originally part of the NHL’s lineup of late-afternoon, early-evening games on Thanksgiving Day in Canada. However, the Blue Jays, as champions of their division, host the first two games of their series with the Mariners.
That situation prompted Keith Pelley, President & CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), to declare:
“The Blue Jays playoff excitement has captured the entire city and we want to help make sure that fans don’t miss a pitch. We greatly appreciate the cooperation by the NHL and Amazon Prime to make this time change possible and we all look forward to cheering on both the Leafs and the Blue Jays on Monday afternoon and evening.”
The words, as quoted by NHL.com, signal the efforts by the Toronto sports industry to capitalize on a singular event. Moreover, the Maple Leafs-Red Wings matchup will be the first game broadcast as part of Amazon Prime’s 2025-26 NHL lineup.
Last season, Amazon Prime broadcast a handful of marquee matchups as its initial foray into sports streaming. The initiative will continue this season as the NHL continues to expand its broadcasting reach.
Primeau Could Make Leafs Debut
The Maple Leafs could see backup netminder Cayden Primeau make his team debut on Monday. Primeau skated with the main group during Sunday’s practice. That situation, plus starter Anthony Stolarz being away from the main group, signals that Primeau could get the start on Monday against the Red Wings.
Stolarz has started the first two games of the season. The Maple Leafs will play back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday. So, Stolarz will likely get the call against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday at home.
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