LGD: Fallen Leafs meet Joe Fresh

Photo Credit: Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY SPORTS

Hamilton is an interesting place. I don’t think Torontonians are still the type to mock the area, given that the housing prices have gone up so quick that the entire younger generation is going to have to move there before they turn 30 anyway. 

With that said, we can point to their a nearly-NHL quality building with nobody more than an OHL team to play in it; that changes for one night only as the Leafs take on the Red Wings in the last of their kinda-neutral site games. The Leafs are tired after a blowout loss to Montreal. The Wings are well rested after spending their off day being classy and underrated, or whatever it is they do.

Jhonas Enroth is expected to start in goal with Garret Sparks backing him up.

This is a much more raw lineup than the one we saw yesterday, presumably because the Leafs are playing three nights in a row to close off the preseason. Expect, without a shred of exaggeration, to see more players in this lineup than not to be cut tomorrow morning. Which ones? Well, hopefully, the right ones.

Jimmy Howard starts in goal with Jared Coreau backing him up.

I can’t believe that this coaching staff, management team, fanbase, you name it, all still believe the Red Wings have some time left in them. The team is essentially flail-swimming its way to survival right now, has for years, and the dropoff is going to be sudden and glorious. Anyway, these are the players playing tonight. This is thankfully their B team, but I’m also not convinced that the Solar Bears couldn’t rip a game away or two away from them in a series.

Hopefully, Frank Corrado has the game of his life and puts everybody’s Roman Polak fears to rest once and for all. Also, count all the top-tier quality Red Wings prospects that are Calder Trophy-eligible in tonight’s lineup and see if you can get to one.

Puck drop is at 7:00 PM and you can catch this game on Sportsnet 360.