New Jersey @ Toronto – 09/11/2018 – Game Preview and Recap

Time: Friday, Novemeber 9^th , 2018

Toronto: 10-5-0 for 20 points

New Jersey: 6-6-1 for 13 points

The Toronto Maple Leafs play their first game of a back to back starting at home in Toronto verses the New Jersey Devils. The Devils have always seemed to cause problems for the Leafs and will try to come into Toronto and spoil it again for the Leafs.

Top Scorers/Goalie Matchup

Mitch Marner – 19 points (5 goals 14 assists)

Morgan Rielly – 18 points (6 goals 12 assists)

John Tavares – 17 points (8 goals 9 assists) 49% on face-offs

Auston Matthews – 16 points (10 goals 6 assists) 53% on Face-off

Kyle Palmieri – 17 points (10 goals 7 assists)

Taylor Hall– 15 points (3 goal 12 assists)

Nico Hischier– 12 points (3 goal 9 assist)

Travis Zajac– 10 points (5 goal 5 assists)

Frederik Andersen

8-5-0, 2.18 GAA .929SV%

Keith Kincaid

6-4-1, 2.59 GAA .918SV%

Probable Lineups:

Toronto:

Kasperi Kapanen – John Tavares – Zach Hyman

Mitch Marner – Nazem Kadri– Patrick Marleau

Tyler Ennis – Pars Lindholm – Connor Brown

Andreas Johnsson – Frederik Gauthier – Josh Leivo

Morgan Rielly – Ron Hainsey

Jake Gardiner – Nikita Zaitsev

Travis Dermott – Igor Ozhiganov

Frederik Andersen

Garrett Sparks

Scratched: Justin Holl & Martin Marincin

Injuries: Nathan Horton (Back), Auston Matthews (Shoulder)

Suspension: None

New Jersey:

Taylor Hall – Nico Hischier – Kyle Palmieri

Marcus Johansson – Brent Seney– Jesper Bratt

Blake Coleman– Travis Zajac – Joey Anderson

Brian Boyle – Travis Wood – Jean-Sebastian Dea

Mirco Mueller –Sami Vatanen

Andy Greene – Damon Severson

Will Butcher – Ben Lovejoy

Keith Kincaid

Corey Schneider

Scratched:

Injuries: Stefan Noesen

Suspension: None

 

4 Keys to Winning against New Jersey:

1. Use your speed
   1. Don’t give the Devils an opportunity to use their speed against you. Take it to them first.
2. Puck Possession
   1. If the Leafs can have a lot of possession, it will negate the speed the devils which is how they create offence.
3. Taylor Hall/Kyle Palmieri
   1. Control, be physical, don’t give these 2 much room on the ice. They will create and score.
4. 3^rd Line offence
   1. Need more offence from theses guys especially while Matthews remains out.

Game Day Lineups:

First Period:

New Jersey Penalty – 08:28 – Sami Vatanen 2 minutes from Kneeing

Toronto Goal – 12:24 – John Tavares (9) from Ron Hainsey (5) and Morgan Rielly (13)

New Jersey Penalty – 14:26 – Marcus Johansson 2 minutes from High Sticking

Toronto Penalty – 17:14 – Nikita Zaitsev 2 minutes from Holding

 

End of 1st – NJD – 0       TOR – 1

Shots              07                15

Faceoffs         7/16          9/16

Hits               11                  6

PP                 0/1              0/2

Analysis:

Leafs came ready to be aggressive against the Devils. Attacking offensively and defensively putting everything at the net and getting the most chances possible and preparing for rebounds.

Need to Do:

Continue the pressure and press the pace.

Second Period:

Toronto Goal – 01:24 – Nazem Kadri (5) from Patrick Marleau (6)

Toronto Goal – 05:07 – Connor Brown (3) from Par Lindholm(3) and Ron Hainsey (6)

New Jersey Goal – 07:23 – Travis Zajac (6) from Blake Coleman (2)

Toronto Goal – 15:44 – Andreas Johnsson (1) from Jake Gardiner(8) and Par Lindholm (4)

Toronto Goal – 17:27 – Morgan Rielly (7) from Nazem Kadri (6)

New Jersey Penalty – 19:24 – Joey Anderson 2 minutes for Interference

 

End of 2nd – NJD – 1        TOR – 5

Shots               23                   27

Faceoffs          14/38            24/38

Hits                 26                  15

PP                   0/1                  0/3

Analysis:

Leafs took the foot off the gas pedal a little and New Jersey took advantage for a bit but then they came right back. Depth is taking control of the game. Exactly what Toronto needed.

Need to Do:

3^rd period is all about continuing to play their game. Do that and that will be a win.

Third Period:

Toronto Penalty – 01:51 – Par Lindholm 2 minutes for Slashing

Toronto Goal – 12:01 – Tyler Ennis (2) Unassisted

Toronto Penalty – 14:39 – Frederik Gauthier 2 minutes for High Sticking

New Jersey Penalty – 15:32 – Kyle Palmieri 2 minutes for Interference

 

End of 3rd – NJD – 1         TOR – 6

Shots              39                   32

Faceoffs        23/58             35/58

Hits               39                    23

PP                 0/3                   0/4

 Analysis:

Huge win for Toronto on the first half of a back to back. Strong showing from the bottom 6 and a dominating performance all around. Morgan Rielly consistently showed how much better he is this season.

Next Up:

Toronto (11-5-0 22pts) @ Boston (8-5-2 18pts)

New Jersey (6-6-1 13pts) @ Winnipeg (8-5-1 17pts)

 

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