As for the Jets, well, outside of a very strong top six forward group, and an elite goaltender, this isn’t a particularly intimidating opponent, even if they do see to be establishing themselves as the clear number two team in the division.

The Jets don’t yet have Jordie Benn, who needs the same clearance to play that all the Canucks players do in order to join his new team, but that still leaves Winnipeg with a very underwhelming blueline. The kind of blueline that players like Auston Matthews and William Nylander are particularly good at exploiting.

Outside of special teams, things generally lean in the Leafs favour, but again, that’s a Leafs team that usually has Matthews and Nylander in the lineup, and it’s probably hard to consider the Leafs a favourite heading into tonight, especially with Jack Campbell also coming back down to earth is his last couple of starts. The Campbell vs. Hellebucyk matchup is back to feeling lopsided in favour of Winnipeg as well.

All of this being said, the 2021 Leafs have done well when their back is against the wall. In previous years, the Leafs would look at a game like this and acknowledge that no one expects them to win it and then go out and prove everyone right. The newer version of the Leafs seem to pride themselves on finding ways to win without their stars, and tonight is another opportunity to show it’s not just talent that stirs the pot, and this team puts in the effort as well. Even if it doesn’t go their way, it’s a chance to see some wonky new lines, and get a look at Robertson and Brooks, so that will be fun.