Hey everybody, I’m back with a pre-game post before the Leafs face the New Jersey Devils tonight. The biggest news of the day is that, even though most of us thought that Auston Matthews would be IN the lineup tonight, he is not, according to Mike Babcock. At least we get to see Soshnikov who was just called up. A small consolation.
The Leafs lines for tonight should look like this: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/toronto-maple-leafs/line-combinations
47-43-29
25-12-11
28-42-16
15-20-26(Sosh)
The D should be the same and Andersen will be starting.
The lines for the Devils should look like this:
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/new-jersey-devils/line-combinations
Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Bratt-Zajac-Stafford
Henrique-Boyle-Wood
Gibbons-Coleman-Noesen
Greene-Santini
Moore-Severson
Butcher-Lovejoy
Schneider
Devils to watch for:
- Taylor Hall leads all players with 19 points.
- College free agent D Will Butcher has 13 assists.
- Brian Gibbons has 8 goals and 2 short handed.
- Andy Green leads all players with 22:06 ATOI
- Schneider is 7-3-0-1 with 2.79 GAA and 0.922 SV%
Nobody wants to see Matthews out of the lineup, but what it appears to have done is galvanize the players a bit and have them play better as a unit. Fear is a great motivator.
They need to reduce the amount of shots on net and Freddie has to have an exceptional game. Leafs need to use their speed because the Devils are a fast team. Marner has been more noticeable as of late and hopefully Nylander can follow his lead.
My prediction for tonight is 4-3 Leafs in OT and Marleau’s line will hot again.
Here’s my take on Marleau’s play at centre.
https://twitter.com/mydogSnots/status/930831339796008960
Here are a few brilliant tweets from the week. First, one form the mighty FLINTOR,
Then this brilliant one from Matty
And finally regarding any trades that still haven’t happened, this beauty by Jude:
Have a good one, #GoLeafsGO
CousinEddie#Leafs #budsallday
The Morning Skate 