LGD: Let the Tank Battle Begin
By Jon Steitzer
8 years agoIt’s Leafs hockey time again. It seems like this has been an incredibly rare occurrence, but here we are getting ready to watch the sixth game of the season and in Buffalo of all places.
The two teams that will battle for the basement, and battled for Babcock over the summer finally meet head to head and we get to take in the wonder that is Jack Eichel for the first time, while Buffalo fans are likely being treated to the exciting return of Martin Marincin to the Leafs lineup.
The Leafs
Toronto comes in riding the high of having recently played in a close game, and prior to that being one of the many teams fortunate enough to beat up on Columbus early in the year. Bozak is still out, so potentially I’ll need to find someone new to blame if the Leafs lose, and more importantly Jake Gardiner is out which means the house of cards that is the Toronto blueline has collapsed.
LW | C | RW |
---|---|---|
James van Riemsdyk | Nazem Kadri | Leo Komarov |
Shawn Matthias | Peter Holland | Brad Boyes |
Daniel Winnik | Nick Spaling | Joffrey Lupul |
Michael Grabner | Mark Arcobello | P.A. Parenteau |
Defensive Pairings | |
---|---|
Matt Hunwick | Morgan Rielly |
Jake Gardiner | Dion Phaneuf |
Scott Harrington | Roman Polak |
The Sabres
The Buffalo trash heap continues to stand in our way of dreaming about drafting Auston Matthews by somehow having a worse record than the Leafs. One look at their blueline and goaltending it seems to be clear on how they are achieving this. Going up against Cody Franson for the first time is the third installment of what appears to be reunion week which has featured Clarkson and Kessel as well. Hopefully Franson is just as effective against the Leafs as they were.
LW | C | RW |
---|---|---|
Sam Reinhart | Ryan O’Reilly | Tyler Ennis |
Evander Kane | Jack Eichel | Jamie McGinn |
Matt Moulson | Zemgus Girgensons | Brian Gionta |
Nicolas Deslauriers | Johan Larsson | Marcus Foligno |
Defensive Pairings | |
---|---|
Josh Gorges | Rasmus Ristolainen |
Jake McCabe | Mark Pysyk |
Mike Weber | Cody Franson |
Starting Goaltenders
Chad Johnson
VS.
Jonathan Bernier
What to Watch For…
- Besides being curious about Jack Eichel, why would you watch this game?
- I guess the Leafs have a chance to win, watch for them to beat up on a horrible defense
- Hopefully someone punching Brian Gionta in the head
Caption This…
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