Tears flow as Borje Salming is honored in Toronto on Saturday.

The Maple Leafs are playing the second of back to back games on Saturday night and in a very classy tribute to former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Borje Salming, the Leafs once again had Salming play a role in their opening ceremony when they had him performing the ceremonial puck drop.

In what was a really nice touch, the Leafs and their opponents tonight the Vancouver Canucks sent Leafs forward William Nylander and Canucks defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to perform the ceremonial puck drop. The two men are of course both Swedish, and it was very fitting to have them featured next to a man that many consider a true pioneer for Swedish and European hockey.

As it was on Friday night against the Penguins, this proved to be a very emotional moment for those participating in the ceremony as well as for those in attendance. Salming was visibly moved by the warm reception that he once again received from the fans at Scotiabank Arena, and once again former Maple Leaf Darryl Sittler appeared to be truly moved by the emotions shown by his long time former teammate.

Sittler still had emotion in his voice when he spoke to Ron MacLean about the moment.