LGD: Big D on the rise

It’s been just a few weeks since the Leafs got their first exposure to Jim Nill and his all-star team, but tonight the two will face off again in Dallas before the NHL goes on a small break for the holidays. 

The Stars were in the basement of the league when they visited Toronto earlier this month (a 5-3 win for the Buds) but are trying to climb their way out of the lottery conversation as they’ve ripped off four straight wins. At eight points out in the west, I’m still not liking their chances, but counting out Jim Nill is never a smart move. Hockey Man, am I right? He’s got numbers too, lots of ’em.

The Leafs have been through a tough week after dropping three straight in regulation, and are just three points ahead of the Panthers who are legitimate playoff contenders. Florida also holds three games in hand, so the Leafs have the potential to slip out of the wildcard spot quite quickly if they don’t get it together on this road stretch.

Winnik – Kadri – Santorelli

Lupul – Holland – Clarkson

van Riemsdyk – So Young – Kessel

Booth – Smith – Panik

Phaneuf – Franson

Gardiner – Polak

Rielly – Holzer

Carlyle broke up the JVR-Bozak-Kessel line (I refuse to call them the first line anymore) for twenty minutes on Sunday, but then panicked when the team got down early and I doubt we’ll ever see them apart again, which is sort of unfortunate since they’re really bumming everyone out these days.

Kadri saw his minutes cut in that same Hawks game, which didn’t really make any sense, so it’d be nice to see him get his ice-time back in this one. As the Leafs’ best forward over the last little while, he deserves it.

 Jim Nill lines via Daily Faceoff

Benn – Spezza – Seguin

Roussel – Eakin – Garbutt

Cole – Morin – Hemsky

Horcoff – Fiddler – Sceviour

Goligoski – Klingberg

Jokipakka – Daley

Other Benn – Demers

What you won’t see on the lineup sheet is the presence of Jim Nill, but you’d be a fool to dismiss it.