Buffalo Sabres (30-26-8 68pts) v. Toronto Maple Leafs (39-21-4 82pts)
Time: 7p EST
Station: SportsNet/CBC
Preview:
The Leafs come back home after a rough game in New York against the Islanders and hope to bounce back against the Buffalo Sabres. Frederik Andersen will get the nod against Carter Hutton for Buffalo. Expect this to be a game full of speed and action on all ends of the ice.
Top Scorers/Goalie Matchup
Mitch Marner –75 points (22 goals 53 assists)
John Tavares – 68 points (36 goals 32 assists) 54% on face-offs
Morgan Rielly – 61 points (15 goals 46 assists)
Auston Matthews – 59 points (30 goals 29 assists) 53% on Face-offs
Jack Eichel – 70 points (23 goals 47 assists)
Sam Reinhart–58 points (18 goals 40 assists)
Jeff Skinner – 57 points (36 goals 21 assists)
Rasmus Ristolainen –38 points (5 goals 33 assists)
Frederik Andersen
30-13-3 2.59GAA .923SV%
Carter Hutton
16-18-4 2.84GAA .910SV%
Toronto Maple Leafs:
Projected Lineup:
Andreas Johnsson – Auston Matthews – Kasperi Kapanen
Mitch Marner – John Tavares – Zach Hyman
Patrick Marleau – Nazem Kadri – William Nylander
Tyler Ennis – Frederik Gauthier – Trevor Moore
Morgan Rielly – Jake Muzzin
Justin Holl – Nikita Zaitsev
Martin Marincin – Ron Hainsey
Frederik Andersen
Garrett Sparks
Scratched: none
Injuries: Nathan Horton (Back), Jake Gardiner (Back) and Travis Dermott (Shoulder)
Suspension: None
Buffalo:
Jeff Skinner – Jack Eichel– Sam Reinhart
Conor Sheary – Evan Rodrigues –Kyle Okposo
Scott Wilson – Casey Middlestadt– Tage Thompson
Zemgus Girgensons – Johan Larsson– Jason Pominville
Jake McCabe –Rasmus Ristolainen
Rasmus Dahlin – Zach Bogosian
Matt Hunwick – Brandon Montour
Carter Hutton
Linus Ullmark
Scratched: None
Injuries: Marco Scandella, Vladimir Sabotka
Suspension: None
Keys to the Game:
1. Be consistent in the faceoff circle
- This will allow more puck possession and time in the attacking zone.
2. Shut down the top line
- The Sabres top line is deadly, don’t let them skate or cycle. They will cause serious damage if allowed to move.
3. Use your speed.
- Make them chase you and have to play defence the majority of the game. Will tire their top players out.
