Chicago Blackhawks (30-30-9 69pts) v. Toronto Maple Leafs 42-22-5 89pts)
Time: 7p EST
Station: SportsNet
Preview:
The Leafs look to rebound after being dismantled by the Tampa Lightning against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Leafs need not take this Blackhawks team lightly, as they can score in bunches and carry one of the 2 top players in the league right now.
Top Scorers/Goalie Matchup
Mitch Marner –82 points (24 goals 58 assists)
John Tavares – 76 points (38 goals 38 assists) 54% on face-offs
Morgan Rielly – 65 points (18 goals 47 assists)
Auston Matthews – 61 points (31 goals 30 assists) 53% on Face-offs
Patrick Kane – 98 points (41 goals 57 assists)
Jonathan Toews –70 points (30 goals 41 assists)
Alex DiBrinicat – 68 points (37 goals 31 assists)
Erik Gustafsson –49 points (13 goals 36 assists)
Frederik Andersen
33-14-4 2.62GAA .922SV%
Corey Crawford
10-15-2 3.22GAA .901SV%
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 – Ron Hainsey
Jake Muzzin – Nikita Zaitsev
Martin Marincin – Igor Ozhiganov
Frederik Andersen
Garrett Sparks
Scratched: Justin Holl
Injuries: Nathan Horton (Back), Jake Gardiner (Back) and Travis Dermott (Shoulder)
Suspension: None
Chicago Blackhawks:
Brandon Saad – Jonathan Toews– Dylan Sikura
Dominik Kahun – Artem Anisimov –Patrick Kane
Alex DiBrinicat – Dylan Strome – Brendan Perlini
Chris Kunitz – David Kampf– Marcus Kruger
Duncan Keith – Gustav Forsling
Carl Dahlstrom – Connor Murphy
Erik Gustafsson – Brent Seabrook
Corey Crawford
Colin Delia
Scratched: None
Injuries: Cam Ward, Drake Caggiula
Suspension: None
Keys to the Game:
1. Be tough on the puck
- no fancy stuff, get the dirty goals. Screen the goalie.
2. Morgan Rielly
- He’ll need to be active and strong defensively, while consistently moving the play up the ice.
3. Jake Muzzin
- needs to bring a physical game and cut off the Hawks cycle game
