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Without forgetting their most recent game in Boston, the Maple Leafs must erase the bad play from their last two games.

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Saturday night, the Leafs return to TD Garden to face the Bruins for the first time since May 4, when David Pastrnak scored in overtime of Game 7 to send the Leafs to another first-round elimination in the Stanley Cup Playoffs .

From the Leafs’ perspective, the biggest and most pressing issue is returning to hockey with Craig Berube – structurally sound with more grit and offensive execution – after demoralizing losses to St. Louis and Columbus.

“The guys are ready to go,” Bérubé told media in Boston after the Leafs’ optional morning skate. “They are disappointed too. That’s how it is in the game. The players are not happy either not to win, to not play well.

“There is a lot of history between these two teams, as you know, so we are expecting a tough game from both teams.”

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Anthony Stolarz will start in net for the Leafs. Jeremy Swayman gets the call from the Bruins.

We’re in the early stages of the 2024-25 National Hockey League regular season, but it’s still strange to watch a game between the Atlantic Division rivals when neither holds a playoff spot playoffs, as was the case before the start of Saturday’s games.

With eight points on a 4-4-0 record, the Leafs are doing a little better than the Bruins, who are 3-4-1 for seven points. Boston is also coming off some poor performances, getting 9-2 in losses to Nashville and Dallas.

Some roster changes are in store for the Leafs. On the blue line, Philippe Myers, a veteran of 158 games in the NHL with Philadelphia, Nashville and Tampa Bay, is preparing to make his debut in Toronto.

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“He came into camp and earned a spot,” Berube said. “He played physical, he was good on the penalty kill, he defended very well there, he’s a big guy. A simple game, but difficult to face.

Winger Max Pacioretty is expected to return after missing Thursday’s game with a lower-body injury.

Cut by the Leafs would be defenseman Connor Timmins and forward Pontus Holmberg.

What does Timothy Liljegren, whose only game of the season was Oct. 16 against the Los Angeles Kings, need to do to get back into the lineup?

“Right now, it’s a bit about numbers,” Bérubé said. “I know I threw it in there for one game and it’s tough with just one game.

“He has to be patient. That’s how it is. We make decisions as a team and as an organization on what we think is best at that time. He’s working on his game and he’ll get another opportunity.

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If Myers plays well in his rotation, it’s possible that could expedite a trade for Liljegren. Either way, we’re not sure there’s a future for Liljegren in Toronto.

With defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (knee) and forward Connor Dewar (shoulder) both eligible to return from long-term injured reserve for next Saturday’s game at St. Louis, the Leafs will need to make roster changes in order to stay under the salary cap. .

Hakanpaa and Dewar are with the Leafs on this trip, which includes a stop in Winnipeg on Monday to face the Jets.

“I thought it was good for them to come and be around the players and the team and be on the ice with the guys,” Berube said.

“They’re getting to the point where it’s getting closer.”

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