Oilers’ Babcock set to face former Maple Leafs

Edmonton Oilers coach Mike Babcock played down the significance of facing the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time since being fired in 2019, joking that the split happened “about a hundred years ago” and that teams move on. He said he remains proud of his time in Toronto and of helping develop young players including Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly, while acknowledging the team’s three first-round playoff exits under his watch. Babcock praised Matthews’ growth and recalled Nylander’s warmth with children at team events; Matthews has credited Babcock with emphasizing the defensive side of his game early in his career. The reunion also involves former assistant Jim Hiller, now with Toronto, while the Oilers enter the matchup with a strong start and the Leafs riding a three-game winning streak.