logo

LGD: Look up, way up

Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Photo credit:Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Fancey
7 years ago
These are nervous times for Leafs fans. Fun, but definitely nervous. After tonight the club will have only 11 games remaining in their season, and right now they still cling to that final wildcard spot. But while we’ve been so busy hoping the they can fend off teams like the Lightning and Islanders from overtaking them, it’s been easy to forget they still have a very real shot of landing third in the division.
With the Leafs just three points back of Boston for that three seed and holding a single game in hand, their tilt against the visiting Bruins tonight is yet another “most important game of the season”, and we really mean it this time.
Tonight’s game is one of the very few left where the Leafs can make ground and directly hurt another team near the bubble, with arguably the only other remaining against the Lightning in the last week of the schedule. [Maybe you can toss the Florida game in there.]

THE LEAFS

LWCRW

Zach Hyman

Auston Matthews

William Nylander

Leo Komarov

Nazem Kadri

Connor Brown

James van Riemsdyk

Tyler Bozak

Mitchell Marner

Matt Martin

Brian Boyle

Nikita Soshnikov
Defensive Pairings

Morgan Rielly

Connor Carrick

Jake Gardiner

Nikita Zaitsev

Matt Hunwick

Roman Polak
Carrick is finally back, in his first game since February 21st. If these pairings stick, he should be in for a busy night alongside Rielly. What a way to jump back in.

THE BRUINS

LWCRW

Brad Marchand

Patrice Bergeron

David Backes

Drew Stafford

David Krejci

David Pastrnak

Frank Vatrano

Ryan Spooner

Jimmy Hayes

Matt Beleskey

Dominic Moore

Riley Nash
Defensive Pairings

Zdeno Chara

Brandon Carlo

Torey Krug

Adam McQuaid

Colin Miller

Kevan Miller
This Bruins forward group is obviously a lot to handle when healthy, but that defence is still suspect, especially against a speedy team like the Leafs. The last game between these two was that 6-5 thriller in Boston, and I kind of expect something similar tonight, given Toronto’s weakness on the blue line as well.

Some Numbers

TORBOS
POINTS PERCENTAGE.564.577
POWERPLAY23.6% (1st)20.8% (10th)
PENALTY KILL83.3% (9th)85.4% (2nd)
SCORE-ADJUSTED CORSI51.1% (9th)55.7% (1st)

Starting Goaltenders

Andersen (0.918 sv%) and Rask (0.912) have both been confirmed.

What To Watch Out For

Brad Marchand has been on an absolute rampage for the Bruins recently, and has vaulted himself into real contention for both the Rocket Richard and Art Ross trophies with 37 goals and 79 points. With Connor Carrick returning and being paired with Rielly, I’m assuming that pair will get to see a lot of Marchand and look to limit him somewhat. Then again, the Leafs have put up 14 goals through their first three matchups with the Bruins so far this season, so this is a team they can beat with their speed and a bit of run-and-gun. With that in mind, we’ll see how much they want to open things up with such crucial points on the line.
Game goes at 7:30 EST on TSN4 (local broadcast)

Check out these posts...