Toronto Maple Leafs (2-1-0 4pts) v, Dallas Stars (2-0-0 4pts)
Lineups:
Toronto Maple Leafs:
Kasperi Kapanen — Auston Matthews — Patrick Marleau
Zach Hyman — John Tavares — Mitch Marner
Par Lindholm — Nazem Kadri — Connor Brown
Josh Leivo — Frederik Gauthier — Tyler Ennis
Morgan Rielly – Ron Hainsey
Jake Gardiner – Nikita Zaitsev
Igor Ozhiganov – Travis Dermott
Frederik Andersen
Garrett Sparks
Scratched: Justin Holl, Andreas Johnsson, Martin Marincin
Injured: None
Dallas Stars:
Jamie Benn — Alexander Radulov — Tyler Seguin
Mattias Janmark — Jason Spezza — Blake Comeau
Devin Shore — Radek Faksa — Tyler Pitlick
Valeri Nichuskin — Roope Hintz — Brett Ritchie
Esa Lindell — John Klingberg
Marc Methot — Miro Heiskanen
Connor Carrick — Roman Polak
Ben Bishop
Anton Khudobin
Scratched: Jason Dickinson
Injured: Johns (Concussion Symptoms), Hanzel (Back)
Suspended:
Gameday:
https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1049645912572682240
First Period:
Leafs Goal – 9:40 – Mitch Marner (2) from Unassisted
Stars Goal – 17:23– Alexander Radulov (3) from Tyler Seguin (3) and Miro Heiskanen(1)
Leafs Goal – 18:58 – Auston Matthews (6) from Kasperi Kapanen (2) and Morgan Rielly (5)
End of 1st – TML – 2 DAL – 1
Shots 12 10
Faceoffs 7/14 7/14
Hits 3 12
PP 0/0 0/0
Analysis:
The Leafs came out flying in this one. Scoring chances galore, The Stars were getting a lot of shots but not many chances. Solid defence and some good goaltending as well, both things that have hampered the Leafs this season.
Need to Do:
The Leafs need to be better in the faceoff circle and crowd up the neutral zone. The Stars are coming up the middle strong. Keep the foot on the gas pedal.
Second Period:
Stars Goal – 10:56 – Tyler Seguin (3) from Esa Lindell (2) and Ben Bishop (1)
Stars Penalty – 8:40 – Jamie Benn, 2 minutes for Roughing
Leafs PPG – 8:01 – Auston Matthews (7) from Morgan Rielly (6) and Mitch Marner (4)
Leafs Goal – 4:00 – Ron Hainsey (1) from Kasper Kapanen (3) and Par Lindholm (1)
Stars Penalty – 3:25 – Roope Hintz 2 minutes for Faceoff Violation
Leafs PPG – 3:00 – John Tavares (7) from Mitch Marner (5) and Morgan Rielly (7)
Leafs Penalty – 2:17 – Patrick Marleau 2 minutes for Hooking
Stars PPG – 1:58 – Jamie Benn (3) from Alexander Radulov (3) and Tyler Seguin(4)
End of 2nd – TML – 5 DAL – 3
Shots 20 25
Faceoffs 18/33 15/33
Hits 7 19
PP 2/3 1/1
Analysis:
Leafs got sloppy at the beginning but then got some power plays and it went to work. Generating a lot of chances, 4th line looks really good. Improved on the face-offs this period and it showed in their play.
Need to Do:
Leafs need to shut down in the 3rd period. Play a strong dump and chase and not take their foot off the gas pedal. Need the 3rd and 4th lines to come up big.
Third Period:
Stars Goal – 17:21 – John Klingberg (2) from Alexander Radulov (4) and Tyler Seguin (5)
Leafs Goal – 15:05 – John Tavares (5) from Mitch Marner (6) and Nikita Zaitsev (1)
Leafs Empty Net Goal – 3:20 – Connor Brown (1) from Morgan Rielly (7) and Ron Hainsey (1)
End of 3rd – TML – 7 DAL – 4
Shots 30 34
Faceoffs 27/43 25/43
Hits 28 16
PP 2/3 1/1
Analysis:
The Leafs showed why they are one of the most dominant offensive teams in the league. Everytime Dallas would try and get back into the game the Leafs just kept responding. Bishop gave up 7 tonight and looked shaky, while Andersen looked solid despite giving up 4 goals. The three headed monster showed its head again with another dominating offensive performance.
Next Up:
Toronto (3-1-0 6pts) at Detroit (0-1-2 2pts)
Dallas (2-1-0 0pts) at Anaheim (3-0-0 6pts)
You can watch TXHT Live next Tuesday at 8p EST on both Twitch and Facebook Live.
