LGD: Jaws of the Enemy
By ThatsKappy
6 years agoIt’s game day!
The Leafs (7-4-0) look to get back on the right track tonight as they head out west to take on the San Jose Sharks (5-5-0).
It’s the first game a four-game road trip for the Leafs after failing to make much noise during their three-game homestand. After falling in back to back games to the Hurricanes and Flyers at home, the Leafs could potentially use the change of scenery as an opportunity to regain their bearings and start winning again.
Leafs Lines
James van Riemsdyk is back tonight, after missing Saturday’s game against Philadelphia after suffering a leg injury last Monday against the Kings. Matt Martin also appears to be good to go, so Josh Leivo bumps back out of the lineup (despite recording an assist on Saturday), as does Kasperi Kapenen.
The defense core inexplicably stays the same. Connor Carrick remains in the press box, and Roman Polak remains not fired into the sun.
On paper, the Sharks are still a pretty good team, albeit one in transition. Logan Couture has quietly scored eight goals through ten games, which is a good thing, considering nobody else on the team has any more than three.
A defense core fronted by Brent Burns should speak for itself. They’ve allowed the fourth-fewest goals in the NHL this season (26) so expect another challenge from a stingy team for the Leafs tonight.
Starting Goalies
In goal, it’s Frederik Andersen against Martin Jones. Freddie’s struggles have been well-documented, but so has his hot-and-cold nature throughout his career. Hopefully tonight will be the night where he turns the page.
Martin Jones, meanwhile, has thrived between the pipes this season, with a .928 save percentage through his first seven games. If there’s any team that can make a good goalie look silly, though, it’s the Leafs.
Notes
- Patrick Marleau makes his return to the San Jose after playing 19 years and 1493 games for the Sharks. Hopefully, this game will spark a strong performance from Marleau in what will certainly be an emotional return.
- The last Leafs win against San Jose came on January 11, 2011. Patrick Marleau had two goals (for the bad guys) and Carl Gunnarsson scored the game-winner. Life comes at you fast.
It’s a late one tonight, folks. Puck drop is at 10:30pm ET on Sportsnet Ontario.
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