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From friend to foe: Brian Boyle all in with Maple Leafs

 
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 07:  Brian Boyle #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to an NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings at Air Canada Centre on March 7, 2017 in Toronto, Canada.  (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) 672874673
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 07: Brian Boyle #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to an NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings at Air Canada Centre on March 7, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) 672874673
Published March 16, 2017

TAMPA — Center Brian Boyle knows there will naturally be some emotions surfacing during warmups Thursday night, when he faces his former Lightning teammates for the first time since a trade to Toronto two weeks ago.

There are some great friendships and memories he built in his two-plus seasons in Tampa Bay, including back-to-back playoff runs.

But when the puck drops there will also be motivation. The Lightning shipped Boyle to its Atlantic Division rival on Feb. 27 for prospect Byron Froese and a second-round pick. Tampa Bay is 6-1-1 since the deadline, pulling into a tie for the final wild-card spot with the Islanders, who hold the tiebreaker of regulation/OT wins.

"Obviously they got rid of me, they traded me — I guess they didn't need me that much," Boyle, 32, said with a grin. "So I've got to go out and prove, 'Listen, I'm on this team now. I'm here to win.' "

Boyle isn't upset with the Lightning, understanding this is a business. But there is likely some disappointment. He had made it clear before the deadline he hoped to stay in Tampa Bay, which felt like home to him, wife Lauren and 2-year-old son Declan. And, who knows, Boyle could still consider the Lightning this summer when he's an unrestricted free agent.

But Boyle's new team, Toronto, is in a fight for its playoff life, too, just one point behind Tampa Bay (with a game in hand). And the two remaining head-to-head matchups (also April 6 in Toronto) could go along way in determining who advances. Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said Tampa Bay has been treating every game like a Game 7.

"There's a lot at stake here," Boyle said. "You have to be a pro and get over (the emotions) in a hurry and go out and compete and battle and try to help these guys in here. They gave up something to get me, and it's on me, and it's on me to make sure I do my best to help this team going forward. And that's my responsibility, this is the team I'm part of now, and I'm really excited about that.

"There's a lot of attention on that after the deadline and you've got to show them what you've got. It's up to me. I've got to be at my best. I've got some friends over here, but it's put on pause for sure."

Boyle isn't surprised to see the Lightning go on this run, 12-2-3 after falling into last place in the Eastern Conference on Feb. 2.

"It's always been there," Boyle said. "There's a lot of the same guys down with injuries, the guys that were called up have been around the last couple years, they picked up quick. They're playing well. They know the staple of the their game is speed and they've got the skill guys. Goaltending has been good. We've got a tough challenge."

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Boyle was happy to be back in his Tampa condo Tuesday night, woken up at 5 a.m. by Declan. He said Lauren, who is due to give birth to their second child in late May, has been able to make a trip up to Toronto, which has made the transition easier.

Boyle has been traded before, but never at midseason during a playoff push.

"It's been different," Boyle said. "You think of it as a long road trip, so to speak. But it's tough. You say goodbye to a lot of people, then say hi to a lot of people. In this eight-hour window, you're kind of in limbo. You don't know where you stand. These guys have been great with me. A very welcoming place."

Lightning players admit it'll be odd to face Boyle, such a well-liked and respected leader. But as defenseman Anton Stralman said, "nothing lasts forever."

"It's going to be strange," Hedman said. "We're the best of friends off the ice, but it's going to be different. We had a lot of routines together, warmups and stuff like that. But you've got to put that aside come game time."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_JSmith.